RSV Nuyina to get permanent berth in Hobart with $188m for Macquarie Wharf 6 upgrade

Australia’s flagship icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, may be able to call Hobart home permanently after the federal government announced funding to upgrade Macquarie Wharf 6.

The RSV Nuyina. Picture: Chris Kidd

The nation’s flagship icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, will finally be able to call Hobart home, with the Commonwealth chipping in nearly $200m to upgrade Macquarie Wharf 6 so it can berth the ship in the state capital.

A total of $188m will be contributed to the project over four years from 2025-26 until 2028-29.

It comes after a highly publicised stoush between TasPorts and the federal government over who should pay for the Macquarie Wharf redevelopment.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – March 25, 2025: Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia, Tanya Plibersek during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In a letter to Premier Jeremy Rockliff last June, Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek complained that TasPorts was asking the Commonwealth for $515m over 30 years for the redevelopment of Wharf 6, which she said was “more than 14 times more” what the federal government “currently pays”.

The upgrade is tipped to provide a “long-term, fit-for-purpose” home berth and shore power for the icebreaker and will also support other Antarctic, commercial, and Commonwealth vessels.

The Nuyina was commissioned in 2021 and has since had to refuel in Burnie due to being barred from transiting under the Tasman Bridge to Selfs Point because TasPorts deemed the ship didn’t meet minimum safety requirements.

Originally published as RSV Nuyina to get permanent berth in Hobart with $188m for Macquarie Wharf 6 upgrade