Construction of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina reached a numerical milestone this week with 5000 tonnes of steel cut at Damen Shipyards in Romania.

This marks the half way point in the steel cutting, with some 10 000 tonnes expected to be cut.

Progress was also made on another front today with the signing of a letter of intent by Tasmanian based maritime engineering firm, Taylor Bros Pty Ltd, with Damen Group, to construct two landing barges for Nuyina.

The barges will be launched from Nuyina to complete the ship-to-shore transfer of cargo to Australia’s three Antarctic stations.

The two aluminium landing barges are approximately 16 metres in length and will be powered by two water-jets.