The Antarctica, with its 14 million km², is a vital continent for scientific research and climate change monitoring. More than 30 countries maintain an active presence in the region under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty, which generates a growing demand for efficient logistical systems.
Currently, Argentina faces a marked contrast: while Ushuaia leads Antarctic tourism, its capacity to support international scientific programs is practically non-existent. In contrast, Punta Arenas (Chile) has established itself as a world leader in polar logistics, with state and private investments exceeding US$410 million by 2028.
Ushuaia Antarctic Congress 2025: a call to action
On November 28, 2025, the Finnova Foundation organized the first Antarctic Congress in Ushuaia, where specialists in logistics, science, and the environment agreed that the development of sustainable infrastructure is key.
“This development would not only boost tourism, which in 2023 exceeded 80,000 visitors, but it would also facilitate scientific research, increasing the number of projects supported from Argentina,” the experts noted.
Antarctic programs and Argentine presence
Today there are about 40 active Antarctic programs, which maintain bases, send researchers, move cargo, and conduct flights to the continent. Argentina is the country with the largest number of bases (13): six permanent and seven temporary.
However, the country does not provide complete logistical services to any of these programs. Only the Brazilian Antarctic Program has used Ushuaia as a partial base in recent years.
Chile and the mixed State–private sector model
In the Magallanes Region, Chile projects:
- US$150 million in ports (Muelle Prat, Puerto Mardones, Puerto Williams).
- US$260 million in key airports.
- The creation of APAL (Antarctic Punta Arenas Logistics), a guild that brings together 12 private companies in maritime logistics, supply, and communications.
This mixed model allowed Chile to support 24 Antarctic programs, with an estimated economic impact of US$500 million annually.
Ushuaia: rising tourism, logistical debt
The port of Ushuaia went from 213 calls in 2015/2016 to 422 in 2024/2025, consolidating its tourism leadership. However, its role in scientific logistics remains lagging behind competitors like Punta Arenas, Cape Town, Hobart, and Christchurch.
Comparative example: Christchurch (New Zealand) supplies only four Antarctic programs and generates more than US$100 million annually in logistical and scientific activity.
Unfinished projects and recent advances
- In 2021, the government of Alberto Fernández announced an Antarctic Logistics Hub with an investment of US$300 million, never realized.
- In 2024, President Javier Milei reaffirmed his commitment to the Integrated Naval Base in Ushuaia, still without significant progress.
- In December 2025, the runway of the Petrel Antarctic Base was provisionally enabled for civilian operations, a milestone that allows direct air connection with Tierra del Fuego and reduces costs compared to Hercules C-130 military flights.
This advance opens new possibilities: rapid rotation of researchers, transportation of high-value equipment, and immediate health response.
Ushuaia at a turning point
The city has unsurpassed natural advantages: deep waters, shelter, and proximity to the Argentine Antarctic Sector. With investments in docks, air connectivity, and public-private cooperation, Ushuaia could transform from a tourist gateway to an international logistical and scientific center, capturing a significant share of a global market valued at hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
This would not only diversify the economy of Tierra del Fuego but also consolidate Ushuaia as a bicontinental capital and a strategic actor in Antarctic governance.
