P&O Polar Home

P&O Polar is incorporated in New South Wales, Australia. The Company was created in 1988 to be primarily engaged in the disponent ownership and management of the Research & Supply Vessel, Aurora Australis.

The Aurora Australis was constructed against a ten year time charter awarded to P&O Polar Australia Pty Ltd by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Commonwealth Government of Australia.

The award of the charter to P&O Polar followed an exhaustive public tender which commenced in 1986. The tender submission by P&O Polar Australia Pty Ltd offered both design (Wartsila), and a research system lease arrangement. The Australian Antarctic Division awarded a letter of intent to enter into a contract based on the P&O Polar design in late 1987.

The Australian Government required the construction of the vessel in Australia and Carrington Slipways were selected after final negotiations. This building contract was signed on the 17th July, 1988 and the time charter on the 13th October, 1988. The vessel was delivered on the 30th March, 1990 and began the first year of a ten year charter in October of that year. A second contract was entered in 1999 for a further period.

P&O Polar is a wholly owned/limited liability subsidiary of P&O Australia Ltd., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of DP World.

P&O Polar uses the services of P&O Government Shipping Services for crew contracting, industrial relations, payroll and personnel with back-up facilities from P&O Maritime Services in the areas of accountancy, financial records, safety and environmental procedures.

P&O Polar aims to investigate and develop approved complimentary business activities when not in use by the Australian Antarctic Division. It is the policy of P&O Polar to efficiently manage and administer its activities in compliance with relative laws and regulations with the objective of maximising the commercial return generated whilst promoting a safe and harmonious work place.

RSV Aurora Australis

RSV Aurora Australis was built in Newcastle, Australia and sails under the Australian flag with an Australian crew. The vessel is 94.91 metres long, has a dead weight of 3,893 tonnes, and is classed as an Ice Class 1A Super Icebreaker under Lloyd's Register of Shipping + 100 A1 + LMC UMS DP (CM): CASPR Class 2 Amidships, Class 3 fore and aft. The vessel has accommodation for 24 crew and 116 expeditioners and has the capacity for the following operations:

Research

Oceanographic studies, acoustic and hydrographic surveys, commercial scale trawling & finer net sampling and environmental monitoring.

Supply
Transportation of 116 special personnel, transportation of supply cargo, transportation of supply fuel with the capability of supporting medium lift helicopters with hangar and refuelling capabilities.