Concerns regarding safety have halted Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker from navigating under Hobart’s Tasman Bridge to access a local refueling station.
Authorities in Tasmania have stated that “all options” are being evaluated as the state government seeks to address the expensive refueling challenge.
The Tasmanian government is considering permitting the RSV Nuyina to pass under the bridge as one of three potential solutions, although the final decision will rest with the harbourmaster.
The local authorities are re-evaluating an existing prohibition that prevents the icebreaker from traveling beneath Hobart’s Tasman Bridge. Currently, the RSV Nuyina, which is based at Macquarie Wharf, cannot reach the nearby refueling depot at Selfs Point via the bridge.
As a result, the vessel is required to undertake a 674-kilometer detour to refuel at Burnie in the northwest region of the state, which adds approximately $900,000 to its yearly fuel expenses.
This restriction was put in place in 2023 after an assessment by TasPorts’ harbourmaster, who concluded that the Nuyina lacked the necessary “directional stability” for safe transit under the bridge.
The evaluation was conducted using 109 computer simulations, during which the virtual Nuyina “collided” with the bridge’s central pylons four times and would have hit them an additional ten times had the simulation not been stopped.
The Tasman Bridge partially collapsed in 1975 after being struck by an ore carrier, resulting in the loss of 12 lives.
During a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, Shane Gregory, acting secretary of the Department of State Growth, indicated that discussions with the harbourmaster regarding “potential transit” were ongoing.
In response to inquiries from ABC News, a spokesperson for State Growth stated that TasPorts is considering new modeling to evaluate the feasibility of the vessel navigating under the bridge.
This is among three options being explored by the state government following a commitment made in 2024 to identify a refueling solution as part of an agreement with the Commonwealth to upgrade Macquarie Wharf.
“The bridge transit is the third of three live options currently being explored, following a barge and a holding tank,” the spokesperson noted. “All of this work will continue over the coming months.”
As part of the $188 million Macquarie Wharf agreement, Tasmania could receive a $2 million “milestone” payment if the Commonwealth approves its proposed refueling solution by the end of July.
However, the state government has acknowledged that a permanent solution will not be in place by this deadline, given the Commonwealth’s rejection of its “interim solution” that involved using road tankers for refueling.
All options are currently on the table, according to Allan Gray, the interim chief executive of TasPorts. He emphasized that the organization is exploring various possibilities to ensure a safe and effective refueling solution for the RSV Nuyina, including a thorough examination of safe transit under the Tasman Bridge.
“TasPorts has been in continuous discussions with the Australian Antarctic Program regarding what additional information may be necessary to support this process,” Captain Gray stated.
While the harbourmaster’s previous assessment remains unchanged, he continues to evaluate what conditions would allow the ship to transit with an “acceptable” level of risk.
Gray noted that any reassessment would require substantial data, which is a process likely to take several months to complete. He also highlighted that the Tasman Bridge is just one of several risk factors that need to be considered.
The data collected will inform techniques for safely moving the vessel, ensuring confidence not only for the harbourmaster but also for the captain of the Nuyina.
Captain Gray reiterated that decisions in the future would be grounded in evidence and the harbourmaster’s independent judgment, emphasizing that the safety of lives and the integrity of critical infrastructure are top priorities.
Regarding the review of the bridge ban, it was clarified that the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) had previously inquired about potential options to reassess the prohibition. However, after being informed that changes were unlikely without modifications to the Nuyina’s hull, the AAD decided to withdraw its request.
On Wednesday, the AAD confirmed to ABC News that the situation remains unchanged. “The AAD has not requested the harbourmaster to reconsider whether the Nuyina can navigate under the Tasman Bridge,” a spokesperson stated.
They added that the AAD continues to collaborate with the harbourmaster on simulations and modeling related to the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf, while the Australian government maintains ongoing discussions with the Tasmanian government regarding a suitable refueling solution in Hobart.
