A vessel known as an icebreaker is usually used for research missions in the Antarctic. The Belgians chose the Australis as it is much less disruptive to the environment and can also sail into wholly new areas than can the much larger icebreaker. The CO2 emissions, for instance, were 140 times lower than those of a traditional icebreaker.
The Australis was able to go places a larger icebreaker couldn’t and was able to collect samples in areas that are inaccessible to larger ships. Read More
