Tasmanian authorities are reconsidering a ban that prevents Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker from travelling under Hobart’s Tasman Bridge.
The RSV Nuyina, which has its home port at Macquarie Wharf, is currently not allowed to go under the bridge to reach the nearby refuelling depot at Selfs Point.
Instead, the ship must make a 674-kilometre detour to refuel at Burnie in the state’s north-west, adding almost $900,000 to its annual fuel bill.
The bridge ban was implemented in 2023 after TasPorts’ harbourmaster determined the Nuyina did not have the required “directional stability” to safely transit under the bridge.
The assessment was based on 109 computer-based simulations in which the virtual Nuyina “hit” the bridge’s central pylons four times.
It would have collided with the pylons a further 10 times if the simulation had not been called off mid-journey.
TasPorts modelling showing icebreaker Nuyina colliding with Tasman Bridge pylon, from TasPorts documents obtained through RTI. (TasPorts)
In 1975, the Tasman Bridge partially collapsed after an ore carrier struck the pylons, causing the deaths of 12 people.
At a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, the Department of State Growth’s acting secretary, Shane Gregory, said work was being done with the harbourmaster around “potential transit”.
The ABC sought further information from State Growth.
In response, a spokesperson said: “TasPorts is considering new modelling to determine if there is any feasibility of the vessel travelling under the bridge.”
It’s one of three options the state government is considering after promising in 2024 to find a refuelling solution as part of a deal with the Commonwealth to upgrade Macquarie Wharf.
“[The bridge transit] is the third of three potential live options currently being examined, behind a barge and a holding tank,” the State Growth spokesperson said.
“All of this work will continue over the coming months.”
Under the $188 million Macquarie Wharf deal, Tasmania will receive a $2 million “milestone” payment if the Commonwealth agrees to its proposed refuelling solution by the end of July.
The state government has confirmed it won’t have a permanent solution in place by the deadline after the Commonwealth rejected its “interim solution” of using road tankers to refuel the ship.
Harbourmaster to have final say
TasPorts’ interim chief executive Allan Gray said all options were currently under consideration.
“TasPorts is exploring all possible options to support a safe and workable refuelling solution for the RSV Nuyina, including making sure we have suitably explored all options for safe transit of the Tasman Bridge,” Captain Gray said.
“TasPorts has been in ongoing dialogue with the Australian Antarctic Program regarding what additional information might be needed to support that process.“
Captain Gray said the harbourmaster’s prior determination “remains in place”, but he continues to consider what would enable the ship to transit with a “tolerable” level of risk.
“Any reassessment would need to be supported by hard data, and data collection to inform that kind of modelling is itself a process likely to take several months,” Captain Gray said.
The Australian Antarctic Division icebreaker RSV Nuyina at Macquarie Wharf, Hobart. (Supplied: AAD)
He said the Tasman Bridge was “one of a number of risk factors to consider”.
“The data needs to inform techniques for the safe movement of the vessel more broadly, giving confidence not only to the harbourmaster, but also to the master of the Nuyina.”
Captain Gray added that any future decision will be “based on evidence” and the “independent judgement” of the harbourmaster.
“The protection of life and the integrity of critical infrastructure remain paramount considerations.”
Bridge ban review not instigated by AAD
In 2024, the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) enquired with the Tasmanian government about potential options to reassess the bridge ban.
But after being told last year that the decision was unlikely to change unless modifications were made to the Nuyina’s hull, the AAD formally scuttled the bid.
On Wednesday, the AAD told the ABC nothing had changed.
“The AAD has not asked the harbourmaster to reconsider whether the Nuyina can transit under the Tasman Bridge,”
a spokesperson said.
They said the AAD has been working with the harbourmaster on simulations and modelling related to the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf.
They added the Australian government was continuing to have conversations with the Tasmanian government about an “appropriate” refuelling solution in Hobart.
