# Antarctic expedition and cruise sector developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/antarctic-expedition-and-cruise-sector-developments > Updated: 2026-09-25T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. The Antarctic expedition and cruise sector is undergoing operational shifts and technological advancements for the 2026-2028 seasons. Terra Nova Expeditions has secured the Terra Nova Adventurer to replace the St Helena for its 2026/27 and 2027/28 programs, as the latter is unable to reposition from the Persian Gulf due to Middle East tensions. The company intends to remodel the new vessel to include enhanced lounge areas and wellness facilities. Simultaneously, port infrastructure in Ushuaia and Anpyn is being upgraded with improved lighting, sanitation, and mooring safety measures, which have reportedly reduced operating costs for shipping lines by over 10%. In Chile, the Magellan Discoverer, a hybrid-electric ice-class vessel, is expected to arrive in Punta Arenas by late October 2026. This ship is designed for high-efficiency energy use and will support scientific research through an agreement with the Chilean Antarctic Institute. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: Antarctic cruise sector sees infrastructure upgrades and new hybrid vessel New infrastructure upgrades in Ushuaia and the upcoming arrival of the Magellan Discoverer, the first hybrid-electric vessel built in the Americas, signal a technological shift for the 2026-2027 Antarctic tour. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antarctic-cruise-sector-sees-infrastructure-upgrades-and-new-hybrid-vessel ### 2026-09-01: Terra Nova Expeditions selects vessel for 2026-2028 Antarctic seasons Terra Nova Expeditions will use the Terra Nova Adventurer for its 2026-2028 Antarctic seasons, replacing the St Helena which cannot reposition from the Middle East in time. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/terra-nova-expeditions-selects-vessel-for-2026-2028-antarctic-seasons --- Cite as: Antarctic expedition and cruise sector developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/antarctic-expedition-and-cruise-sector-developments