International Antarctic Center Bidding to Begin
The bidding process to construct the International Antarctic Center (CAI) in Punta Arenas, Chile will begin today.
The project is set to cost 80 million USD and will allow for scientific research and provide technical support for polar expeditions. The project will also be an attraction intended to expose the public to the Antarctic territory.
Chilean architects Alberto Moletto, Cristobal Tirado, Sebastian Hernandez and Daniel Lagos won the International Antarctic Center design competition in 2017. In 2021, the project was approved by Chile’s Ministry of Social Development.
Punta Arenas serves as a key gateway to the Antarctic, making it the primary route for scientists to access Antarctica. The Center will improve access to Antarctica and, in doing so, strengthen Chile’s strategic importance in Latin America as countries in the region begin to emphasize strong climate action following Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2022. Argentina has also declared a plan to build a logistics center in Ushuaia. In the short term, the CAI will provide significant socio-economic contributions as it attracts tourists and creates jobs. In the long term, expect the international Center to be integral to climate-related data and to predict future climate change.
