Icebreaker Nuyina’s fuel ‘farce’, as safety trials raise fears it could hit Tasman Bridge

Australia’s new, problem-plagued $528m icebreaker can’t refuel in its home port of Hobart over fears it could slam into the Tasman Bridge.

Australia's Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s new problem-plagued $528m icebreaker cannot refuel in its home port of Hobart, after safety tests raised fears it could slam into the Tasman Bridge.

On-water trials as part of a safety assessment by the Tasmanian Harbour Master raised concerns the RSV Nuyina’s rounded hull meant it could hit bridge pylons in strong winds.

The decision to bar the ship from travelling under the landmark bridge, which collapsed in 1975 after being struck by a bulk carrier, means Nuyina cannot refuel upriver at Selfs Point.

Instead, the Australian Antarctic Division will need to find a fuel barge to make the trip to Selfs Point or – its current plan – sail Nuyina 364nm to the northwest port of Burnie to refuel.

Harbour Master Mick Wall on Thursday said he had to place human life, marine assets and the environment ahead of all other considerations.

“The RSV Nuyina’s nonlinear and rounded hull, designed for ice operations, does not have a standard parallel bodied under water area,” Mr Wall said.

“As observed on a number of occasions during on-water trials, (it) does not possess the same level of directional stability found in other standard hull form designs when undertaking dynamic turns in windy conditions in confined waters.

“This means that the vessel would exceed the safe minimum clearing distances from the bridge pylons if the RSV Nuyina attempted to transit the Bridge.”

The Australian understands AAD has discussed the possible acquisition of a fuel barge with the Tasmanian government.

A ship passes under the Tasman Bridge at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

AAD has so far declined to comment on that option, or as to how the problem was insufficiently foreseen when the ship was designed and commissioned.

An AAD spokesman said refuelling at Burnie would occur in the coming summer Antarctic research season, taking four days “each time it is required”.

“Refuelling is required two to four times per summer shipping season,” he said.

“The AAD is working with the Tasmanian government on long-term Hobart-based refuelling options.”

TasPorts in February 2022 provided conditional approval for Nuyina to transit the bridge, subject to the detailed simulated and on-water trials that have now found it cannot do so safely.

The Tasman Bridge in 1975 after it was hit by a ship. Picture: News Corp

Nuyina, unveiled with much fanfare in October 2021, successfully undertook its first two Antarctic voyages early in 2022. However, it then experienced technical problems, requiring lengthy mechanical work in Singapore and the charter of temporary replacement vessels.

Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said the refuelling situation was “farcical” and risked “undermining our Antarctic division’s reputation”.

“If the AAD cannot manage something as simple as this, what does it say about our competence in meeting Australia’s critical obligations under the Antarctic Treaty?” Senator Whish-Wilson said.

“Re-fuelling the RSV Nuyina hundreds of kilometres away from the port originally earmarked to service the vessel will not only have environmental repercussions, but presumably will also mean financial cost-savings will have to be found elsewhere in the AAD’s operating budget.

“It’s incredibly frustrating that this comes at a time when important science research programs are already facing significant budget pressures.”