Refuelling options for the Australian Antarctic Division’s Nuyina still unknown
Refuelling options for the Australian Antarctic Division’s $528m icebreaker RSV Nuyina remain unknown, even after a feasibility study. Here’s why >>
Tasmania
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There hasn’t been any updates into refuelling options of the Australian Antarctic Division’s icebreaker RSV Nuyina after it was barred from fuelling at Selfs Point.
It comes as the Department of State Growth conducted a feasibility into refuelling options for the Nuyina in Hobart at the end of last year.
The report highlighted a fuel barge as a likely option to refuel the Nuyina and other icebreaker vessels in Hobart.
But it was confirmed at a senate inquiry last Wednesday that there hasn’t been any updates on the matter because Tasmania had an early election.
“Since our last exploration of this at the hearing in January, the Tasmanian (government) has been the caretaker for most of that period, so there are no substantive updates from the evidence we gave in January,” AAD head Emma Campbell said.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water deputy secretary Sean Sullivan added: “It’s not a TasPorts issue; it’s a Department of State Growth issue.
“We spoke to state growth during the caretaker period, but obviously they can’t make commitments around that. They would be providing advice to the incoming government on that issue.
“I think the ministry has been settled, so we anticipate that we’ll be in good shape to progress that issue in the short term.”
A state government spokesperson said the government is still examining a proposal for a refuelling solution to service the maritime needs of Hobart’s port.
“This would allow for vessels to refuel at the Port of Hobart without the need to transit under the Tasman Bridge,” they said.
“The Tasmanian Government is committed to working with the Australian Antarctic Division to develop a refuelling solution as a matter of priority.
“TasPorts is working closely with the Department of State Growth on the assessment of available safe options for a fuel barge for Hobart.”
Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam asked if that would mean more trips for the Nuyina to refuel in Burnie in the interim.
“We’re expecting to refuel for Macquarie Island via road tanker. My recollection is that we don’t have any plans to go to Burnie in the next few months,” Ms Campbell said.
The Nuyina has been refuelling in Burnie since TasPorts denied the vessel transit under the Tasman Bridge to refuel at Selfs Point last year.
The Division has had to spend an extra $875,000 in fuel costs over the 2023-24 season.
Since January, the $528m icebreaker ship refuelled once in Burnie ahead of Voyage 3.
“We’re working with the Tasmanian government. It’s been delayed because they’ve been in caretaker, but we’re hopeful that, now that’s settled, we’ll get a response shortly,” Ms Campbell said.
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