Australia’s new state-of-the-art $528m icebreaking Antarctic research vessel has been refused permission to travel underneath Hobart’s Tasman bridge to refuel, and must instead sail hundreds of kilometres north to another port.
Tasmania’s port authority has long been concerned the 160m-long ship is too big to safely pass underneath the bridge, despite the Australian Antarctic Division’s previous assurances that it can.
RSV Nuyina, which resupplies Australia’s three Antarctic stations and conducts crucial climate research, is berthed at Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf, to the south of the Tasman bridge. But its refuelling station at Selfs Point is a short distance upstream on the other side of the bridge.
TasPorts had previously indicated Nuyina may be able to pass under the bridge, but only after successful completing of training courses and simulation exercises at the Australian Maritime College.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has confirmed that approval has not been granted and the ship must instead travel to Burnie this summer, on the island state’s north-west coast, to receive fuel. This must occur before every voyage to Antarctica.
“The AAD has received advice from TasPorts that RSV Nuyina is not permitted under the Tasman Bridge to refuel at Selfs Point,” an AAD spokesperson told Guardian Australia.
“RSV Nuyina will refuel in Burnie for the upcoming summer season. The Australian Antarctic Division is working with the Tasmanian government on long-term Hobart-based refuelling options.”
Those long-term options could be considered in any redevelopment of the Macquarie Point precinct, where the proposed multipurpose stadium will be built to support Tasmania’s first AFL team.
Nuyina’s first voyage to Antarctica was in January 2022. The delivery of the Romanian-built ship was delayed due to the pandemic.
The AAD has previously said Nuyina “fits within the physical limitations set out by TasPorts for transiting under the Tasman Bridge”.
TasPorts was contacted for comment.
In March last year, TasPorts chief executive, Anthony Donald, said the authority was committed “to ensuring the highest standards of maritime safety”. He said risk assessments and training were crucial before granting permission to pass under the bridge.
“Ensuring our team of highly qualified and experienced marine pilots are familiar with this bespoke vessel and the way it manoeuvres is pivotal to providing final clearance for the RSV Nuyina to undertake its first transit,” Donald said at the time.
In 1975, 12 people died after a cargo ship crashed into the bridge, causing part of the structure to collapse.
TasPort’s ban is the latest setback for the ship after delays and lengthy repairs led to major scientific expeditions being cancelled.
Earlier this year, the AAD’s chief scientist, Nicole Webster, confirmed that “a very large expedition” of Australian scientists – who have been planning to study the declining sea ice since 2019 – would “no longer go ahead” due to the Nuyina’s problems.
In January, Guardian Australia reported the vessel would not support the remote Macquarie Island research station as initially planned as it was still undergoing repair work at a dry dock in Singapore.
Nuyina’s first planned voyage to Antarctica in late 2021 was delayed due to problems with its alarm system. Issues were then detected before reaching Casey Station and during repairs to its clutch system months later, the manufacturer Damen determined the shaft couplings needed replacing.
Next month, a Senate inquiry into the funding and operation of the AAD will begin, which was triggered in part by Guardian Australia revealing plans to cut dozens of crucial climate science projects due to a budget crunch.
