Terra Nova Expeditions has replaced the historic St. Helena for its inaugural 2026–2027 Antarctic expedition season after the vessel became unable to reposition safely and on schedule from the Persian Gulf. The expedition operator said the continuing security situation in the Middle East prevented the ship from reaching its required operating area in time.

The 105-meter, approximately 6,800-gross-ton St. Helena was built in the United Kingdom and entered service in 1990. One of the last long-distance Royal Mail Ships , it carried passengers and cargo between Cape Town, Saint Helena and Ascension Island before being retired in 2018 following the introduction of regular air services to Saint Helena.

Terra Nova Expeditions had planned to begin Antarctic voyages aboard St. Helena in December 2026. The operator said it spent several months arranging an alternative and has now secured another expedition vessel under a three-season charter. The replacement, to be renamed Terra Nova Adventurer, has previous operating experience in Antarctica, the Arctic and other remote regions.

The company said its planned Antarctic itineraries will proceed aboard the replacement vessel, with the charter extending through the 2028–2029 season. St. Helena, meanwhile, has remained in the Dubai area, with AIS information previously placing the Djibouti-registered vessel near Port Rashid. Its future deployment has not been announced.