RSV Nuyina news stories

Get on board the ship of the future
Explore Australia's new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina
Read More
Green light for RSV Nuyina to transit Tasman Bridge
Approval process finalised for safe passage of icebreaker
Read More
Ship of Firsts
Successful completion of RSV Nuyina's first Antarctic voyage
Read More
RSV Nuyina discovers deep glacial canyon
Icebreaker finds deep abyss near large glacier in east Antarctica
Read More
Hidden doorway to deep sea science
First test of plumbing the depths from inside icebreaker
Read More
A floating Internet of Things
Big Data from Australia’s science icebreaker
Read More
Nuyina’s first krill catch
Unique ‘wet well’ tested to sample fragile marine life
Read More
Deepsea mountain mapped by RSV Nuyina
Echosounders 'see' underwater mountain on Nuyina's first Antarctic voyage
Read More
New icebreaker RSV Nuyina heads south
RSV Nuyina departs Hobart on first voyage to Antarctica
Read More

Catch of the day
A handful of Hobart shrimp became the first catch of Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina’s unique ‘wet well’, designed to collect fragile plankton and…
Read More
Doorway to the deep ocean
The moon pool on RSV Nuyina allows scientists to explore the ocean beneath metre-thick sea ice, with a range of autonomous or tethered instruments.
Read More
Stealth ship sees deep
Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina uses sound to ‘see’ into the deep ocean and seafloor below.
Read More
Commissioning of RSV Nuyina – Harbour Phase update
The commissioning and trials phase of Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina has commenced and will continue for at least two years.
Read More
Explore Antarctica from Hobart’s waterfront
Take a virtual journey to Antarctica from the Hobart waterfront
Read More
Antarctic shipping update
The Australian Antarctic Program has a high tempo shipping season planned, with three ships working to support research and resupply activities.
Read More
Antarctic icebreaker arrives in Hobart
The nation celebrated the arrival of Australia’s most advanced Antarctic research and resupply vessel, RSV Nuyina, today.
Read More
Hobart welcomes world’s most advanced Antarctic ship
The world’s most advanced Antarctic icebreaker, science and resupply ship, Australia’s RSV Nuyina, has arrived at its home port of Hobart, after an…
Read More
RSV Nuyina arrival events cancelled due to COVID-19
Due to the recently announced Tasmanian COVID-19 lockdown, plans to welcome Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina have changed.
Read More
‘Disneyland for scientists’: Nuyina opens new research frontiers
Antarctic and Southern Ocean researchers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of new Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina, with its ‘tool kit’ promising to…
Read More
Just add ice: Nuyina powers through engine tests
On its way home to Australia, RSV Nuyina has successfully undertaken its first engine power tests for heavy icebreaking – without any ice in sight.
Read More
Icebreaker’s new krill aquaria ready for sea
In a world first, two unique aquariums for Antarctic krill are ready to be deployed on Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, when the ship arrives…
Read More
Nuyina’s nerve centre comes to life
As Australia’s new icebreaker heads home to commence Antarctic service, technicians on board are bringing the ‘eyes’ and ‘ears’ of the ship’s science…
Read More
Nuyina muscles up for heavy lifting
The versatility and capacity of RSV Nuyina as a cargo vessel will transform resupply operations for the Australian Antarctic Program from its home…
Read More
Antarctic icebreaker to contribute to global ocean map
Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, will soon be contributing to international efforts to map the global ocean seafloor.
Read More
Changing of the guard
RSV Nuyina brings enhanced icebreaking and resupply capabilities to Australia’s Antarctic program.
Read More
RSV Nuyina homeward bound
Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, has begun its 24,000 km journey home to Tasmania.
Read More
Ships of science
New Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina embodies a century of Australian maritime history in the Southern Ocean. Since Douglas Mawson sailed on SY…
Read More
Birth of an icebreaker
As Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina prepares to depart Europe for its home port of Hobart, we relive the highlights in the ship’s life…
Read More
Environmental assessment of RSV Nuyina operations open for public comment
Call for public comment – draft Initial Environmental Evaluation – operation of RSV Nuyina 2021-2026
Read More
New icebreaker due to arrive in October
The RSV Nuyina is heading to Australia after sea trials.
Read More
RSV Nuyina embarks on sea trials
RSV Nuyina commences sea trials in North Sea
Read More
Nuyina ready for sea trials
New Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina will shortly be ready for sea trials, with progress on the internal fit-out and systems testing of the ship…
Read More
Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina featured in new stamp issue
The 2021 arrival of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, in its home port of Hobart, is marked today with a stamp issue by Australia…
Read More
Giant icebreaker pulls into Netherlands for final fit-out
Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina has arrived in the Netherlands for the final stages of its testing and commissioning.
Read More
Australia’s new icebreaker on the move
Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina is bound for final commissioning and sea trials in the Netherlands, surviving its first underwater scrape in…
Read More
Remote tech helps monitor icebreaker tests during pandemic
A critical test of icebreaker RSV Nuyina’s weight and stability was completed in Romania last week, overseen by Australian Antarctic Division…
Read More
National Reconciliation Week
The name of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, recognises the long connection that Tasmanian Aboriginal people have with the evocative…
Read More
Nuyina delayed arrival into Hobart
The arrival of Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina to its homeport of Hobart has been delayed by 19 weeks.
Read More
Science at the speed of light
Deep ocean systems on board Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, will be enhanced with data transfer speeds up to 120 times faster than current…
Read More
New icebreaker propels to life
The propulsion system of Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, has heaved to life with the turning of the starboard propeller for the first time.
Read More
Shining a light on deep sea cables
A deep-water laser for testing fibre optic cables on the icebreaker RSV Nuyina, has been designed and built at the Australian Antarctic Division.
Read More
Come aboard Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker
The Australian Antarctic Program is recruiting science support specialists to work on the nation’s new hi-tech Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina.
Read More
Icebreaker’s science tender sea trials underway
Final sea trials for the science tender of Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, are underway in Norway this week.
Read More
Up close with Nuyina
Check out the latest video of the Nuyina under construction at the Damen shipyards in Romania.
Read More
Icebreaker’s internal fit-out shapes up
Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina is looking more like a home away from home for scientists, expeditioners and crew, as the internal fit-out…
Read More
New Antarctic barges tested on the River Derwent
Antarctic landing barges destined to work alongside Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina are getting wet for the first time during sea-trials on…
Read More
Captains announced for RSV Nuyina
Two experienced Captains for Australia’s new icebreaker have been announced.
Read More
Portside with Nuyina
Australian Antarctic Division Director, Kim Ellis, toured the RSV Nuyina at the Galați shipyards, as construction nears completion ahead of sea-ice…
Read More
Diesel generators start up
The RSV Nuyina’s diesel generators started up for the first time this week.
Read More
Nuyina in harbour tests
Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina is being put through its paces with a barrage of tests on the propulsion, bilge, ballast and other auxiliary systems.
Read More
New watercraft construction barging ahead
Construction of two ‘heavy lift’ barges for the new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, is underway at Tasmanian shipbuilders, Taylor Bros.
Read More
Readiness testing for Harbour Acceptance Trials
Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina is being readied for ‘harbour acceptance trials’ next month and receiving a final coat of paint.
Read More
Nuyina’s internal fit-out
Despite blowing snow and temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius, construction is progressing on Australia’s new icebreaker, including on the…
Read More
Superstructure blocks in place
All the major superstructure blocks on Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker are now in place.
Read More
Building a bridge
The bridge of Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina has come a long way from a scale model on paper to a final functional design boasting cutting-edge…
Read More
Navigation bridge tops icebreaker
The crows nest, navigation bridge and science observation deck have been added to Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina.
Read More
Ship superstructure on the rise
Since Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, was moved to a wet dock in late September, construction and internal fit-out has quickly progressed.
Read More
Antarctic icebreaker takes a turn
Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina has been turned in the wet dock to facilitate construction of the ‘superstructure’, or decks above…
Read More
Antarctic icebreaker afloat
Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, is now floating, after more than 50 Olympic swimming pools of water were pumped into the docks…
Read More
Virtual icebreaker videos
Take a look at some of the Nuyina's interior with these virtual fly-through videos.
Read More
Icebreaker construction requires laser precision
Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, has reached another milestone in construction, with the laser-precision alignment of her propeller…
Read More
LEGO icebreaker sets sail on its maiden voyage
It may not be seaworthy but a LEGO model of Australia’s new icebreaker is sure to inspire budding Antarctic expeditioners to set sail for the icy…
Read More
Data to the bunk
Expeditioners and crew onboard the Aurora Australis can now get the ‘DiRT’ on what’s happening on the ship, from the comfort of their own bunks.
Read More
Icebreaker construction propels ahead
Key pieces of the RSV Nuyina’s propulsion system have recently arrived at the Damen Shipyard at Galati, including the propellers and propeller hubs.
Read More
Anchors, ice knives and thrusters
The hull of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina is rapidly taking shape.
Read More
New icebreaker looking ship shape
Construction of Australia’s new scientific icebreaker RSV Nuyina has reached another major milestone, with more than 7000 tonnes of steel cut, and…
Read More
Australian school children take their place in Antarctic history
A group of Australian school students have made history becoming the first children to fly to and set foot on Antarctica as part of the Australian…
Read More
Icebreaker construction barges ahead
Construction of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina reached a numerical milestone this week with 5000 tonnes of steel cut at Damen…
Read More
Australia’s new icebreaker name providing students with the trip of a lifetime
Twelve school students are set to become the first children to fly to and set foot on Antarctica as part of the Australian Antarctic Program…
Read More
Foundation of Australia’s new icebreaker laid
The first building block of Australia’s new icebreaker has been welded into place at a keel laying ceremony in Romania overnight.
Read More
Moon pool takes shape
More than 2391 tonnes of steel has been cut to form the bottom of Australia’s new icebreaker, which will be home to the ship’s moon pool.
Read More
Antarctic icebreaker competition extended
The Australian Antarctic Division has extended its competition to name the nation’s new icebreaker until 7 July.
Read More
Construction of Australia’s new icebreaker commences
Construction of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker has begun with a steel cutting ceremony in Romania overnight.
Read More
Australian students chance to fly to Antarctica
An Antarctic experience of a lifetime is on offer for Australian students who win a national competition to name the nation’s new icebreaker vessel…
Read More
Nuyina cranes and funnels
The RSV Nuyina’s two 55 tonne cranes are now installed, and the aluminium cladding for the ship’s funnels has been lowered into place.
Read More
Model of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker on public display
A model of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker will be on public display for the first time at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart.
Read More
Australia’s state of the art icebreaker unveiled
Australia’s new icebreaker will be a modern, sophisticated ship that will offer scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean…
Read More
Icebreaker procurement process update
Latest developments in the icebreaker procurement process.
Read MoreStay up-to-date
Keep up to date with the latest news, events and activities in Antarctica with our online newsletter, Antarctic Insider, which arrives in your inbox every 2 months.