Job prospects lift as Antarctic icebreaker Nuyina shapes up

The arrival of Australia’s new $2billion icebreaker in Hobart next year could usher in a jobs boom for Tasmania.

AS Australia’s new $2 billion icebreaker nears completion, the search has begun for Tasmanian crew and support staff.

The RSV Nuyina is in its final stages of production at Damen Shipyards in Romania and is set to undergo sea trials later this year before it heads to the Australian Antarctic Division in Hobart next year.

Serco Australia, which is project managing the ship design and building process, has begun a recruitment drive to staff the vessel.

Serco Australia chief executive Mark Irwin said the project was expected to create hundreds of jobs in the region through the provision of crewing and support services such as repair and maintenance, docking, security, cleaning, provedoring and stevedoring.

Serco started advertising for some positions on the RSV Nuyina last week, and has already had strong interest.

Director of shipbuilder company Taylor Bros, Phillip Taylor in front of a landing barge for the Antarctic Division. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Once construction is completed, the Nuyina will be able to carry 32 crew and 117 expeditioners for expeditions lasting up to 90 days.

“The RSV Nuyina is a technically advanced vessel and will require a range of crewing and support services over its 30-year life,” Mr Irwin said.

“We look forward to engaging with the Tasmanian community as we move towards the operation and maintenance phase of this project,” he said.

Tasmanian workers are already taking a role in helping build the fleet of small watercraft needed to support the new icebreaker.

A team at ship builders Taylor Bros in Hobart is completing two barges for the vessel.

The aluminium barges, which are 16.5m long and 6.2m wide, will be used to transport up to 45 tonnes of cargo each to and from the ship and shore in Antarctica.

As there are no jetties or wharves in Antarctica, the barges are the primary link to the shore.

Shipbuilder Phil Taylor said he and his team had been building and outfitting boats and buildings for the Australian Antarctic Division since 1980.

“I have a long history of building for Antarctica,” Mr Taylor said.

He said the barges would be shipped to the icebreaker later this year.

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Antarctic modernisation branch general manager Rob Bryson said harbour trials would begin for the icebreaker next month, ahead of sea trials in the Black Sea in January.

Mr Bryson said the trials, which would take up to five months, would also see the vessel push into icy conditions in the Arctic.

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It is expected to reach Hobart next year some time between July and September.

Mr Bryson said the ship, which replaces the 30-year-old Aurora Australis, would be the most advanced icebreaker in the world.

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