Ushuaia Port—being the closest port to the Antarctic continent, was the transit point and primary location of resupply for ships bound for Antarctica.

However, the port was not large, with one commercial pier and one oil resupply pier, totaling fewer than ten berths. During peak season, berths were often insufficient, forcing many ships to anchor in the nearshore anchorage and crew having to disembark on ferries.

At this time, the port berths were almost full, mostly with research vessels flyi