Infrastructure Project Management Teams
Our ambition
Our goal is to ensure the successful initiation, planning, design, execution and monitoring, of a suite of large-scale infrastructure projects that will support UK ambitions to stay at the forefront of polar research and exploration. Our projects include the RRS Sir David Attenborough and a suite of infrastructure modernisation projects at BAS’s Antarctic research stations. We work in partnership with the NERC Programme Management Office, with our technical advisors, Ramboll, our construction partner BAM-SWECO, and the BAS Estates Team.
Team priorities
- To deliver quality assurance and best practice; including contributing to the development of business cases; complying with project governance policies, attending programme boards, solving problems and providing expert advice to NERC and BAS leadership teams
- To ensure that large-scale infrastructure projects are delivered on time and within budget, representing excellent value for taxpayer money
- To deliver polar infrastructure facillities that meet the specifications and requirements of the scientists who will use them
- To deliver “future-proof” facilities that meet the requirements of cutting-edge multidisciplinary research now and in the future
Stakeholder engagement
- We work closely with researchers from a wide range of disciplines to ensure that the RRS Sir David Attenborough, Rothera and the islands research stations are designed and built with relevant and suitable laboratory spaces and scientific equipment
- We collaborate with UK polar researchers within BAS and the Universities to ensure that their needs are met
- We collaborate with colleagues in NERC and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to demonstrate proper governance and management of public money.
Signy Research Station Modernisation
Modernising the UK's summer-only Antarctic research station
King Edward Point Research Station Modernisation
New mooring and boating facilities for South Georgia's fisheries research station
Bird Island Research Station Modernisation
A new jetty and logistics facilities for Bird Island
A new polar research ship for Britain: project delivery
A new research platform to put UK scientists at the forefront of polar science
Modernisation milestones achieved in Antarctica
10 July, 2024
Construction teams have completed significant stages of the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme and joined the over-wintering staff for the first time as the 2023/24 summer season ended. The improvements, led by BAM and technical advisors Ramboll will transform future science and operations at Rothera, the UK’s largest polar research station in Antarctica.
Net zero ambitions achieve new standard through independent assessment
5 June, 2023
British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is one of the first public sector organisations to be recognised by the Carbon Trust for its …
New season begins for Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation programme
2 December, 2022
The next phase of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation programme (AIMP) is set to begin with a 6-month construction season at Rothera Research Station. The station is the UK’s largest Antarctic research and operations hub that supports leading researchers in frontier science in the region.
Antarctica drawing competition launches
2 November, 2022
The British Antarctic Survey and its partners are launching a drawing competition for schools, to inspire the next generation of polar engineers, scientists and explorers. School children between the ages …
BAS’ 2021-2022 field season has ended
27 May, 2022
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) field season has finished for another year. RRS Sir David Attenborough departed Rothera Research Station for the final time earlier in May and is …
RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Antarctica for the first time
17 December, 2021
Britain’s new polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has travelled to Antarctica on its maiden voyage, with its first call today (17 December) at Rothera Research Station – …
Winners announced in British Antarctic Survey and University of Cambridge net zero hackathon to decarbonise UK Antarctic Research Stations
15 December, 2021
A hackathon involving some highly innovative minds from across business and academia has resulted in the announcement of three winning entries to help decarbonise research stations for the British Antarctic …
From Scotland to Antarctica: trial construction of new Antarctic communications tower in Kintore
7 December, 2021
A full trial assembly of a specialist air communications tower for a British Antarctic Research Station has been constructed this autumn in Scotland, ahead of its shipping to Antarctica this month. …
BAS Shortlisted for British Construction Industry Awards (BCI)
21 July, 2021
British Antarctic Survey and the partners delivering the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme are finalists for this year’s British Construction Industry (BCI) Awards in the ‘Partnership Initiative of the Year’ category. …
RRS Sir David Attenborough getting ready for next phase of sea trials
30 June, 2021
The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) is getting ready for its next round of sea trials. This is an important part of the preparations for the ship’s first Antarctic mission. The …
Rothera Research Station’s new wharf achieves first CEEQUAL award in Antarctica
13 May, 2021
Award reflects project’s excellent environmental approach to biodiversity and sustainability. A new 74 metre wharf at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station has achieved the first CEEQUAL award in …
Antarctic Science Hub Takes Shape Amid Complex Construction Season
19 March, 2021
A specialist construction team is making the 11,000km journey home to the UK after successfully completing the groundworks for a new state-of-the-art polar research building at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) …
Construction starts at UK’s largest Antarctic research hub
11 January, 2021
The next stage of building a scientific support facility in Antarctica begins this week [11 January 2020]. To avoid the risk of introducing COVID-19 to British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera …
Sub-Antarctic island celebrates Shackleton Day with New Wharf for the RRS Sir David Attenborough
20 May, 2020
The completion marks the latest milestone for the £140m UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme commissioned by UKRI-NERC and undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, dominated by …
New Antarctic Wharf Ready for the RRS Sir David Attenborough
16 April, 2020
A new £40 million wharf to moor the RRS Sir David Attenborough has been used by polar ships for the first time at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station in …
New building at Rothera breaks ground
30 January, 2020
In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the first sighting of Antarctica by the British naval officer Edward Bransfield on this date in 1820, a new building to facilitate the …
Ramboll re-awarded Technical Advisor role
16 January, 2020
Engineering, design and consultancy company Ramboll has been re-appointed as Technical Advisors for British Antarctic Survey (BAS), successfully winning the next phase of work in a series of projects to …
RRS Sir David Attenborough latest milestones
16 January, 2020
BIRKENHEAD. The RRS Sir David Attenborough achieved two important milestones at Cammell Laird’s shipyard this month with the commissioning and testing of lifeboats and power systems. The ship is in …
Antarctica: Getting Ready for RRS Sir David Attenborough
19 December, 2019
A major modernisation programme at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station begins its second ‘summer season’ this month with the arrival of a 60-plus person team from BAM. Construction …
First Antarctic construction season success
21 May, 2019
ANTARCTICA: At the onset of the Antarctic winter British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station bids farewell to 50 construction workers. They have spent the last six months building the …
Construction of new wharf begins as first frame is lowered into place
13 March, 2019
A major milestone has been reached in the construction of a new wharf at Rothera Research Station. The first of 20 steel frames, forming the skeleten of the new structure, has been lowered into place in a piece of precision engineering.
Digging begins in construction of new Antarctic wharf
14 January, 2019
First digging has begun to deconstruct the old wharf at Rothera Research Station as part of modernisation work to transform the way British Antarctic Survey delivers frontier science
Voyage delivers wharf-building equipment to Antarctica
29 December, 2018
A huge cargo ship loaded with 4,500 tonnes of steel and construction equipment required to build a new Antarctic wharf has arrived at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station. Staff …
All aboard and bound for Antarctica
23 November, 2018
The DS Wisconsin departs for Antarctica loaded with 4,500 tonnes of kit required to build the new Rothear Wharf
Practice makes perfect
26 September, 2018
The construction team responsible for building a new Antarctic wharf at Rothera Research Station have been practicing full-scale assembly of the 30 tonne steel rigs in Southampton before deployment South. …
New polar research ship makes a ‘splash’
11 July, 2018
RRS Sir David Attenborough hull launch into River Mersey 14 July Update 20 July 2018 – watch video of launch A major milestone in the build of the UK’s state-of-the-art …
The RRS Sir David Attenborough in the virtual wind tunnel
27 October, 2017
The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) just got another step closer to completion as the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) investigated the aerodynamic performance of Britain’s new polar research vessel using a computer generated ‘virtual wind tunnel’
Update – polar ship stern block arrives in Birkenhead
29 August, 2017
The “stern section” of the new polar research ship for Britain, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, arrived at Cammell Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead this weekend (27 August 2017). The video …
New polar ship construction milestone
18 August, 2017
A major feat of engineering takes place this week (21 August) as the “stern section” of the new polar research ship for Britain, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, is transported …
Construction partner announced
4 January, 2017
Construction expert BAM has been chosen to partner with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities, enabling British scientists to continue delivering world class research …
New polar ship reaches first construction milestone
17 October, 2016
Keel-laying ceremony at Cammell Laird
UK’s £200m Polar Research Ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough
6 May, 2016
UK’s £200m Polar Research Ship to be named after Sir David Attenborough, days before the broadcaster’s 90th birthday “Boaty McBoatface” to live on as the name of the ship’s high-tech …
NEWS STORY: New polar ship contract signed
23 November, 2015
The contract for the UK’s new polar research ship was signed NERC’s Chief Operating Office Paul Fox and Cammell Laird Chief Executive, John Syvret CBE on Friday 19 November 2015 …
NEWS STORY: New polar ship bidder selected
12 October, 2015
Government announces preferred bidder to build new polar ship Minister of State for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson announced today that the preferred bidder to build a new polar research …
NEWS STORY: Funding announced for new ship
25 April, 2014
New polar research ship for UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP announced this week (Friday 25 April 2014) that the Government has earmarked more than …
From Inverness to Antarctica: meeting (supply chain) milestones
27 January, 2022 by Joseph Stebbing
Joe Stebbing, Assistant Project Manager, AIMP at British Antarctic Survey on how we are meeting our (supply chain) milestones. January has marked a momentous milestone for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation …
The challenges of running Antarctic stations during a pandemic
21 December, 2021 by Christopher Robert Lloyd
Christopher Robert Lloyd, Contract Manager for Ramboll, will be working in Antarctica on constructing the new scientific support facility at Rothera, the Discovery Building. He first travelled to Antarctica in …
Extreme engineering: Practice makes perfect ahead of fitting out the new Discovery Building
23 November, 2021 by Livia Oldland
The new science and operations facility at Rothera Research Station, the Discovery Building, has a unique design to meet the challenges of living and working in Antarctica, along with helping …
Towards Net Zero: demystifying the terminology
23 July, 2021 by Natalia Ford
For the inaugural Net Zero Awareness Week (17-23 July), Natalia Ford — Sustainability Manager at British Antarctic Survey, raises some of the challenges of talking about reducing carbon emissions and …
BLOG: Diversity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond
23 June, 2021 by Jon Ager
Jon Ager joined British Antarctic Survey as Director of the UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme in 2019, after serving for almost 35 years in the Royal Air Force and aerospace …
BLOG: Journey into polar engineering
23 June, 2021 by Katie Handford
This International Women in Engineering Day 2021, Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme Trainee Project Manager Katie Handford shares her journey into polar engineering. I started in high school designing, building and racing 24V electrically powered …
Challenges of Construction in Antarctica
12 March, 2021 by Christopher Robert Lloyd
Christopher Robert Lloyd, Site Supervisor for Ramboll, is currently working in Antarctica constructing the new scientific support facility at Rothera, the Discovery Building. He travelled to Antarctica in December 2020 …
Life in Antarctica
15 February, 2021 by Livia Oldland
Billy Thursfield, Sub-Agent for BAM, is currently working on the construction of the new science and operations facility at Rothera Research Station, the Discovery Building. Here he reflects on working …
Journey to Antarctica during the Covid-19 pandemic
14 January, 2021 by Christopher Robert Lloyd
During this year’s construction season at Rothera Research Station, the team begins the second season of erecting a state-of-the-art science and operations facility, The Discovery Building. This vital piece of …
King Edward Point: A new wharf for the RRS Sir David Attenborough
17 April, 2020 by Livia Oldland
Alan Roper works from Ramboll and is currently Site Supervisor for the new wharf at King Edward Point Research Station in South Georgia as part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation …
Blog. No more hammocks and baths once a week!
13 June, 2018 by Michael Gloistein
Ship Communication Officer checks out construction progress
Guest blog. RRS Sir David Attenborough: The story so far
20 April, 2017 by Paul Fox
Paul Fox, Senior Responsible Officer for RRS Sir David Attenborough, has written a guest blog for a behind-the-scenes look at NERC’s commission of a new polar research ship for Britain and the associated Antarctic infrastructure modernisation programme.
Measuring the impact of wharf construction on the Antarctic Benthos
24 June, 2024 by Ben Robinson, David Seaton, Kevin Hughes, Simon Morley
Shallow water Antarctic marine macroepifaunal assemblages live in one of the most naturally disturbed marine environments due to the impact of icebergs scouring the seafloor. They are, however, amongst the…Read more on Measuring the impact of wharf construction on the Antarctic Benthos
