Bulgarian Research Ship Sets Sail for Fifth Antarctic Expedition

Jerusalem, 4 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Varna (BTA) The research ship Saints Cyril and Methodius (NIK 421) sailed today from Varna on its fifth expedition to Antarctica.

The military ritual of its departure took place at the Naval Station in Varna.

The ship is heading to Antarctica to participate in securing another Bulgarian polar expedition and the scientific research activities at Bulgaria’s St. Kliment Ohridski base on Livingston Island.

Before that, the vessel will dock in Antalya where the 31st UN Climate Change Conference will be held.

The ceremony began with a military ritual and the welcoming of the head of the Higher Naval School, Fleet Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov, who accepted the formation, in whose ranks was also the crew of NIK 421, led by its commander, Captain II Rank Radko Muevski.

Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav served a prayer service for health and success on the voyage.

Congratulatory addresses were read to the participants in the expedition, their relatives and friends, and the guests on behalf of President Iliyana Yotova and the Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov.

The ship is expected to reach the Southern continent between Christmas and New Year’s and return to Varna in mid-April 2027.

The first group of participants in the 35th National Antarctic Expedition departs for Antarctica tomorrow on a flight from Sofia.