A Coastal Gateway to the Interior
The Fuel Depot is located on the western edge of the Fimbul Ice Shelf, in the coastal inlet of Penguin Bukta, a remote bay in Queen Maud Land. This site serves as a key logistical point for activity in the region. The S.A. Agulhas II frequently arrives at Penguin Bukta to offload cargo, fuel and passengers, making it one of the most important coastal access points for inland operations.
The Fuel Depot
Penguin Bukta is a floating extension of the Antarctic Ice Sheet that forms where glacial ice flows from the continent out over the ocean. Although the Fimbul Ice Shelf floats on seawater, it remains firmly connected to the land, creating a stable, thick platform of glacial ice that can be safely used for temporary, seasonal operations. At the Fuel Depot, this ice is approximately 300 m (984 ft) thick, resting over the sea while anchored to the coast.
The depot itself sits around 10 km (6.2 mi) from the open sea, positioned to support the transfer of cargo being moved on or off the S.A. Agulhas II and onward across the continent. Average temperatures hover around –5°C (23°F), and the environment is stark and windswept.
A WIDE EXPANSE OF SHELF ICE SPREADS OUT AT THE EDGE OF PENGUIN BUKTA, CREATING A PRACTICAL GATEWAY FROM THE SOUTHERN OCEAN INTO ANTARCTICA’S INTERIOR.
As with all White Desert sites, the Fuel Depot is operated under strict environmental controls, allowing vital logistics to be conducted safely while safeguarding this remote and sensitive coastal zone.
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The Antarctic Treaty, first signed in 1959 and now joined by 46 countries, lays the foundation for all activity on the continent.
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