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February 7, 2026

For the second consecutive year, Oceanwide Expeditions has achieved a historic milestone in polar exploration: reaching the southernmost point ever attained by a non-icebreaker vessel in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

On February 5, 2026, the m/v Ortelius recorded a position of 78°05.60’S in Vahsel Bay, surpassing the previous season’s record of 78°03.471’S. This remarkable achievement highlights the crew’s exceptional expertise, the expedition staff’s capabilities, and Oceanwide Expeditions’ leadership in offering innovative and exploratory itineraries to some of the most remote and challenging regions on the planet.

The Weddell Sea is renowned for its extreme conditions: dense, unpredictable ice, rough seas, and highly variable weather make navigation particularly demanding. Historically, this area was the stage for famous expeditions, including Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition between 1914 and 1917. This year’s record was achieved as part of the 27-night Remote Weddell Sea Explorer itinerary, which retraces portions of the Endurance’s route and the legendary survival journey of its crew. The expedition also included a continental landing in Queen Maud Land, historically known as Neuschwabenland, at the easternmost point of the Weddell Sea—a region rarely visited by tourist operators.

Franklin Braeckman, Antarctic Program Director at Oceanwide Expeditions, emphasized that breaking the record for the second year in a row is a clear testament to the skill and experience of the crew and expedition staff, as well as the willingness of guests to push beyond conventional limits and embrace true adventure. He noted that the Remote Weddell Sea itinerary is exceptional within the industry, made possible by Oceanwide’s decades of operational experience in Antarctica and polar environments, and underlined the company’s commitment to providing genuinely unique experiences, expressing great satisfaction at this repeated success.

The achievement also underscores the capabilities of the m/v Ortelius, reinforced for ice navigation and equipped with one of the highest ice-class ratings for non-icebreaker vessels. This technical capacity allowed the Weddell Sea to be explored safely and precisely while pursuing historic milestones. Oceanwide Expeditions also expressed gratitude to the ship’s crew, Captain Remmert Koster, Expedition Leader Chris Long, and the entire team for their dedication, expertise, and leadership in accomplishing this extraordinary feat.

This achievement reflects Oceanwide Expeditions’ authentic and pioneering approach to expedition cruising. The company combines bold, exploratory itineraries with responsible practices, following the guidelines of AECO, IAATO, and the Antarctic Treaty System, ensuring that tourism activities in Antarctica are sustainable and safe. With over thirty years of experience in polar exploration, Oceanwide continues to offer its guests extraordinary and unique experiences, far from conventional cruise routes, redefining the concept of polar expeditions.

For the 2026–2027 season, the Remote Weddell Sea Explorer itinerary will return to offer this one-of-a-kind experience, while a new 24-night adventure will take guests to the rarely explored Bellingshausen Sea, including the exceptional opportunity to land on Peter I Island, one of the most remote and challenging destinations in Antarctica.

In conclusion, the record achieved by Oceanwide Expeditions and the m/v Ortelius is not merely a technical or geographical success; it embodies the exploratory spirit, expertise, and daring that define the company. Through these itineraries, Oceanwide delivers authentic and memorable experiences, allowing guests to witness firsthand the extreme beauty and unique challenges of the polar seas, reaffirming its leadership in the expedition cruise sector.

Don’t miss the latest news, updates, and reviews on Oceanwide Expeditions on Cruising Journal, with photos, videos, and cruise offers.

Angela Messineo

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