History of ANARE shipping
Ships have been plying their way through the Southern Ocean since the days of Captain Cook in the eighteenth century. Since its inception in 1947, ANARE has relied on shipping to transport expeditioners from Australia, explore the coastline, resupply stations and conduct oceanographic and marine science. For many of these years Australia hired Danish ships from the Lauritzen Line. The distinctive Dan ships such as the Thala Dan, Magga Dan, Kista Dan and Nella Dan, became synonymous in the public mind with Australian Antarctica.
The launch of Australia's polar flagship, the Aurora Australis, in 1989, initiated a new era. However, shipping requirements each year generally result in the hire of additional ships from other countries, including some tourist vessels in recent years.
