SHOWA STATION, Antarctica (Kyodo) The icebreaker Shirase arrived at Showa Station in Antarctica late Sunday evening local time, six days behind schedule due to thick ice and snow.

The vessel, which was completed last May, was welcomed by several members from Japan's 51st Antarctic research expedition, who had arrived previously by helicopter, and from the 50th expedition, who have been there for the last year.

The new team will monitor rising carbon dioxide concentrations in the Antarctic, survey the coastal seabed and gather meteorites.

The 12,650-ton Shirase replaced a vessel with the same name that supported Japan's Antarctic expeditions for 25 years.