Gunderson Marine & Iron hosted the public launch of the McMurdo Docking Barge on Saturday, October 25th, 2025.

Built for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and destined for Antarctica, this groundbreaking barge will replace fragile ice piers at McMurdo Station, ensuring reliable, low-maintenance mooring for cargo ships in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Engineered with a rake hull to ride atop sea ice and withstand extreme Antarctic conditions, the vessel will journey nearly 6,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean and Ross Sea to reach the largest research facility in Antarctica.

Watch the highlight reel to see this milestone project come to life and learn how it will play a critical role in supporting science, logistics, and exploration at the edge of the world.