Government Shipping Services The Australian operations of P&O Maritime Services’ Government Shipping Services business unit are based in Hobart, a major centre of marine research in the Australasian region. The business unit also has an operations base in Galway, Ireland. The division owns and operates the research, supply and expedition vessel Aurora Australis for the Australian Antarctic Division, l’Astrolabe for Institut Polaire Francais Paul Émile Victor and Territoire des Terres Australes & Antarctiques Francaises plus multi purpose vessel Southern Supporter which is currently on long term charter to Fugro in support of their geo-survey requirement for the Australian offshore oil and gas industry. Aurora Australis, l’Astrolabe and Southern Supporter are all capable of operating in tropical and polar regions. A southern fisheries and border patrol capability is also provided through this business unit. Government Shipping Services also manages the Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation’s national research facility, Southern Surveyor, and operates and provides technical support services to the Marine Institute Ireland’s two research vessels Celtic Explorer and Celtic Voyager. The Government Shipping Services business unit has a high level of expertise in the specialised field of operating research vessels, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere and Antarctic waters. P&O Maritime Services’ Government Shipping Services employs approximately 200 seafarers across its operations.