RSV Nuyina run to Burnie anchored for four days as fuel fiasco continues

The Australian Antarctic Division’s expensive and farcical fuel run to Burnie has hit another snag with the Nuyina forced to anchor offshore for four more days. Here’s why.

RSV Nuyina, which arrived in Burnie on Wednesday, has been waiting offshore to be refuelled. Oct 12, 2023.

The Australian Antarctic Division’s RSV Nuyina will be sitting idle for nearly four days off Burnie before being berthed at the port because of a fuel tanker delay.

A tanker with diesel needed to power research stations in Antarctica has been delayed because of poor weather, forcing the $529m icebreaker with 77 expeditioners to anchor and wait.

Any Nuyina diversions are likely to cost hundreds of thousands of extra dollars, with the AAD revealing last week it overspent by $42m last year.

It comes as Nuyina had to detour to Burnie to refuel because thevessel was refused permission by TasPorts to refuel at Selfs Point.

RSV Nuyina arrived at Burnie on Wednesday evening and will wait until Saturday night before coming in to dock to refuel on Sunday, which will take two days.

The Nuyina offshore at Burnie. Picture: Shayne Andrews

“The tanker carrying the diesel used for power generation at Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean research stations had its arrival into Burnie delayed by approximately a day due to poor weather,” an AAD spokesperson said.

“The RSV Nuyina will refuel in Burnie before heading south to Davis Station on the first voyage of the summer Antarctic shipping season.

“The ship will resupply Davis research station with essential supplies and change over expeditioners before heading back to Hobart.

“All the expeditioners travelling to Davis will be continuing their training and expedition preparations while on board.”

A 2011 report estimated that each day the former icebreaker Aurora Australis was delayed cost the AAD an additional $100,000 USD ($155,000). When asked by the Mercury, the AAD has refused to detail what the delays to the Nuyina voyages costs taxpayers.

The AAD is already under budget pressures with reports in September that staff were concerned about $25m in planned cuts.

Hobart City Council Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds says it’s unacceptable that the Nuyina has to refuel in Burnie.

Lord Mayor of Hobart Anna Reynolds. Picture: Chris Kidd

“This [Hobart] is the state’s major port. It needs upgrades, it’s got serious challenges for us to be able to present ourselves as a serious gateway,” she said.

“Hobart’s Antarctic gateway status is absolutely central, and fundamental to our economic future and the development of future industries and enterprises and opportunities.”

Ms Reynolds said refuelling RSV Nuyina in Hobart was at the top of her agenda and she would discuss the issue with Premier Jeremy Rockliff at their next meeting.

“We want to know the deadlines, we want to know the budget allocations and we want to know when it’s going to be ready,” she said.

“Every day that we waste going to Burnie and pumping fuel and waiting for fuel is a day that Australian scientists aren’t finding out fundamental information and answering crucial questions for the world, about what’s happening with sea ice and changes in ocean currents in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.”

Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said maximising the summer window for Antarctic science cannot be underestimated.

“The last thing scientists need is more uncertainty on when they can access Antarctica,” he said.

“It’s one thing for the Nuyina to go to a far away port to refuel, it’s another thing to have it sitting there waiting.”

“If these additional delays are anticipated as standard procedure then it clearly adds to the case for refilling barges to be established in Hobart.”

[e-mail]

Originally published as RSV Nuyina run to Burnie anchored for four days as fuel fiasco continues