The military scientific research vessel Saints Cyril and Methodius, carrying Bulgaria's polar researchers, has arrived in the southern bay of Livingstone Island, near the Bulgarian Antarctic base St Kliment Ohridski. The ship temporarily anchored off Livingstone to allow part of the third group of the national Antarctic expedition to disembark at the Bulgarian base St Kliment Ohridski.

After a brief stopover, the ship continued on to Deception Island to unload provisions and construction materials at the Spanish polar base Gabriel de Castia. After spending the night off the island, the Bulgarian vessel will return to Livingstone Bay to anchor permanently.

A new group of participants in the 32nd National Antarctic Expedition left Sofia on 7 January, and the next group of five, led by Professor Hristo Pimpyrev, will depart on 26 January.