New icebreaker due to arrive in October

Excitement is building! Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, is due to arrive in Hobart in October.

RSV Nuyina (pronounced noy-yee-nah) is currently docked at a shipyard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, undergoing repairs to its advanced friction clutches, a key component of the propulsion system.

The clutch issue was identified late last year, but did not interfere with the ship’s first two rounds of sea trials.

The continuing impacts of COVID-19 on the supply chain caused delays in getting the specialised components manufactured and installed in the ship.

Once these repairs are complete, the vessel will undertake another round of sea trials, complete an acceptance process and then start the eight-week delivery voyage to Hobart.

The vessel will then undertake its first voyage south in support of the Australian Antarctic Program during the 2021/22 summer season.