MSC Concludes Operation Deep Freeze 2026 Cargo Operations in Antarctica
The Military Sealift Command (MSC)-chartered heavy lift ship Plantijngracht has concluded its cargo offload operations at McMurdo Station, Antarctica marking the end of MSC support of the annual Antarctic resupply mission; Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) 2026.
Plantijngracht arrived in Winter Quarters Bay, Antarctica, Feb. 4, where they offloaded a 65-ton floating Modular Causeway System (MCS), used instead of the traditional ice pier this year due to the size and weight of the ship’s cargo. Once the MCS was in place and secure, Plantijngracht was met by members of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion ONE and 372 pieces of cargo, consisting of containers filled with dry goods and supplies needed for the year’s survival at the remote Antarctic outpost was offloaded over the course of two weeks.
Following the offload, Plantijngracht was loaded with containers of retrograde cargo for transportation off the continent. This includes trash and recyclable materials for disposal and equipment no longer required on the station, as well as the MCS. Before departing McMurdo station, Plantijngracht was also be loaded with ice core samples that will be stored on the ship in a sub-zero freezer. The ice core samples will be delivered to the United States for scientific study.
Plantijngracht will make stops in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Yokohama, Japan where they will offload the MCS, before sailing for Port Hueneme, Calif., where they will offload the retrograde cargo and ice core samples.
ODF is a joint service, ongoing Defense Support to Civilian Authorities (DSCA) mission in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF is the lead agency for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). Mission support consists of active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard as well as Department of War civilians and attached non-DOW civilians. ODF operates from two primary locations situated at Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica. MSC-chartered ships have made the challenging voyage to Antarctica every year since the station and its resupply mission were established in 1955.
MSC directs and supports operations for approximately 140 civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, perform a variety of support services, and move military equipment and supplies to deployed U.S. forces.
