The icebreaker Laura Bassi, operated by the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS), has departed from Trieste, bound for Antarctica via New Zealand. This marks the start of the 2025–2026 campaign of the Italian National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA). The vessel recently underwent extensive upgrades funded with €4 million from the Ministry of University and Research.

According to Franco Coren of OGS, the expedition will be carried out in two phases: first, supplying the Mario Zucchelli base, and then executing five scientific projects. During the voyage, Laura Bassi will convoy with the Korean icebreaker Araon.

On board are ice cores from the international Ice Memory project, recognized by UNESCO and coordinated by the Ice Memory Foundation, CNR-Isp, and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. The samples, collected on the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc, will be stored at the Ice Memory Sanctuary at the Italo-French Concordia Station, preserved at -20°C.

“This is a dream come true after ten years of work,” said Carlo Barbante of CNR-Isp. ENEA highlighted the “joint efforts of Italian institutions in one of the most complex and important missions for climate research.”