The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Antarctic Region
Ports Antarctica, in 35 editions.
The entry for Antarctica published Ports in 35 editions of 35, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 13 editions. Each is shown as published. Ports in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 13
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Ports” (1990 to 2025), “Ports and harbors” (1997 to 2005) and “Ports and terminals” (2006 to 2023).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Same as 2024The same text in 1990 and 1991.
none; offshore anchorage only
none; offshore anchorage only
The same text in 3 editions, 1992 to 1994.
none; offshore anchorage only at most coastal stations
none; offshore anchorage only at most coastal stations
The same text in 1995 and 1996.
none; offshore anchorage
none; offshore anchorage only at most coastal stations
The same text in 3 editions, 1997 to 1999.
Published as “Ports and harbors”
none; offshore anchorage
none; offshore anchorage
Published as “Ports and harbors”
- McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W);
- government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System");
- offshore anchorage
none; McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); offshore anchorage
Published as “Ports and harbors”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters;
- a few stations have a basic wharf facility US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W);
- government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System");
- offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
The same text in 3 editions, 2002 to 2004.
Published as “Ports and harbors”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters;
- a few stations have a basic wharf facility;
- US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), 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;
- offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), 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; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
Published as “Ports and harbors”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters;
- a few stations have a basic wharf facility;
- US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), 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;
- offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent;
- relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party 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") (2004)
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), 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; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent intermittent; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party 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") (2004)
Published as “Ports and terminals”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters;
- a few stations have a basic wharf facility;
- 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;
- offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent;
- 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 Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of 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 and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area;
- members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the UK (2005)
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; 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; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, south, have to be complied with (see "Legal System") (2004) System"); The Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of 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 and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the UK (2005)
Published as “Ports and terminals”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters;
- a few stations have a basic wharf facility;
- 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;
- offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent;
- 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 Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of 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 and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area;
- members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the UK (2006)
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; 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; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; 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 Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of 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 and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the UK (2005) (2006)
Published as “Ports and terminals”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters;
- a few stations have a basic wharf facility;
- 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;
- offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent;
- 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 Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of 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 and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area;
- members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK, and US (2007)
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; 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; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; 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 Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of 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 and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK, and the UK (2006) US (2007)
Published as “Ports and terminals”
- there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;
- most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages;
- a few stations have basic wharf facilities
Rewritten: too little of the 2008 text remains to mark the changes.
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities
The same text in 8 editions, 2010 to 2018.
Published as “Ports and terminals”
- McMurdo Station;
- most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages;
- a few stations have basic wharf facilities
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; McMurdo Station; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities
The same text in 5 editions, 2019 to 2023.
Published as “Ports and terminals”
most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities
McMurdo Station; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities
The same text in 2024 and 2025.
- total ports:
- 8 (2024)
- large:
- 0
- medium:
- 0
- small:
- 1
- very small:
- 7
- ports with oil terminals:
- 0
- key ports:
- Admiralty Bay,
- Andersen Harbor,
- Ellefsen Harbor,
- McMurdo Station,
- Melchior Harbor,
- Port Foster,
- Port Lockroy,
- Scotia Bay
Rewritten: too little of the 2023 text remains to mark the changes.
total ports: 8 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 7
ports with oil terminals: 0
key ports: Admiralty Bay, Andersen Harbor, Ellefsen Harbor, McMurdo Station, Melchior Harbor, Port Foster, Port Lockroy, Scotia Bay
No edition has those words. Try a shorter word.
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Antarctica: Ports.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/antarctica/ports.