A new way to reach Antarctica is about to launch, and it's Chilean through and through. The Magellan Discoverer, a hybrid-electric expedition ship built entirely in Chile, has left ASENAV's Valdivia shipyard and is sailing south to Punta Arenas, where it will be christened on November 6 — a date that happens to be Chile's 'Day of the Antarctic.'
The handover is already done. Antarctica21, the line behind the vessel, confirmed on October 30 that registration was complete and the ship had been provisioned. Before setting sail for Punta Arenas, the 5,900-ton ship completed sea trials near Corral, Chile, following an earlier round of trials in early October.
What makes this ship notable is its pedigree and its footprint. Designed in-house by ASENAV and built over nearly three years in Valdivia, it carries polar class PC6 — a serious ice rating — and uses hybrid-electric propulsion to cut emissions in one of the planet's most fragile environments. ASENAV has been vocal about the milestone, calling it proof that world-class polar ships can be designed and built in southern Chile to the standards demanded by Antarctic operations.
The numbers for travellers: 88 guests, which puts it firmly in the small-ship category where landings and Zodiac excursions are easier and crowds are minimal. After the christening, the ship's maiden voyage departs December 15, combining southern Chile with the Antarctic Peninsula.
From there, the Magellan Discoverer will run Antarctic expeditions alongside the Magellan Explorer, Antarctica21's first ship, which was also built at the same Valdivia yard. That gives the line two Chilean-built vessels operating out of Punta Arenas — a gateway that keeps flights to Antarctica short and itineraries flexible.
Why does this matter if you're eyeing the White Continent? Small hybrid ships like this one offer a lower-impact way to visit, and the December 15 maiden voyage is a chance to sail a brand-new vessel on its very first departure. Antarctica21 is also known for its fly-and-cruise model, letting travellers skip the rough Drake Passage crossing by flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island — a real consideration if seasickness or time is a factor.
Antarctic season runs roughly November to March, so anyone booking now for the 2026-27 season would be sailing aboard one of the newest expedition ships afloat, built and flagged in the country that serves as the continent's neighbour and gateway.
