Research icebreaker sets sail for Antarctica

China’s Xuelong 2 research icebreaker set sail on Nov 10 from its home port in Shanghai on the country’s 37th Antarctic expedition, the Ministry of Natural Resources said.

Carrying 116 people, the vessel is expected to travel more than 34,520 miles by the time it returns to Shanghai in May.

The ministry said the mission will carry out hydrological, meteorological and environmental investigations in Antarctica and monitor new pollutants such as microplastics and drifting garbage in the Antarctic Ocean.

The vessel is also carrying supplies and rotational staff for China’s Zhongshan and Great Wall stations.