The Bulgarian research vessel Sts. Cyril and Methodius - Research Survey Vessel 421 will be ceremonially welcomed at the port terminal in Varna today. It was expected to dock at 10 am but due to bad weather the ship is now expected at 4 pm. The ship is returning from a successful third five-month mission in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute said.

Captain Radko Muevski set sail on 7 November 2024 with RSV 421 on its third expedition to the icy continent. A space laboratory has been installed on board for this mission. The ship transported equipment for the Bulgarian scientists' new laboratory to the country's base on Livingston Island, which was officially opened in February.

Bulgaria started its polar research activities in Antarctica in 1967-1969, when a Bulgarian meteorologist participated in the XIII Soviet Antarctic Expedition. The Bulgarian polar base has been operational since 1988. It was renamed St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base in 1993 by the decree of President Zhelyu Zhelev.