Antarctica: Transportation#
| Airports | 23 (2013) |
|---|---|
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 23 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 6 (2013) |
| Heliports | 53note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2012) |
| Ports and terminals | McMurdo Station; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities |
| Transportation - note | US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area |