Icebreaker Shirase arrives at Showa Base in Antarctica+

SHOWA BASE, Antarctica, Jan. 11 Kyodo -
The Japanese icebreaker Shirase arrived at Showa Station in Antarctica late
Sunday evening local time, six days behind schedule as it faced thick ice and
snow.
The vessel, which was completed last May, was welcomed by several members of
Japan's 51st Antarctic research expedition, who had already arrived by
helicopter, and those of the 50th research expedition, who have stayed there
for about one year to pass the winter.
The 51st team will engage in activities such as checking the rising carbon
dioxide concentration in the Antarctic, surveying the coastal seabed and
gathering meteoric stones.
The new 12,650-ton vessel with advanced icebreaking capabilities replaced the
old Shirase, which was decommissioned after completing 25 years of service last
year in support of Japan's Antarctic expeditions.
==Kyodo