Australia’s newest icebreaker has been designed for more than just science. A $1.91 billion investment by the Commonwealth, the RSV Nuyina will act as a scientific research platform, icebreaker and resupply ship in one.
Meeting these incongruent needs – a ship that is quiet enough to allow scientists to use acoustic instruments, and powerful enough to break 1.65 metres of ice at a continuous speed of three knots – was the challenge faced by prime contractor, Serco Australia.
The result was a Silent-R noise radiation specification powered by a hybrid propulsion system, which includes diesel generators on flexible mounting systems to absorb vibrations. This, combined with a moon pool to deploy oceanographic equipment and a wet well sampling space, will allow scientists to sample live animals and map the sea floor while the vessel is breaking ice.
Australian Antarctic Division krill biologist Rob King said the unique wet well system was a game-changer for krill research.
“This is an unprecedented capability that no other vessel in the world has been equipped with. It will allow us, while we’re breaking ice, to be sampling animals, which has been a dream for marine biologists working in the Southern Ocean for as long as I can remember.”
Serco Australia CEO Mark Irwin said the design of the vessel was carefully considered.
“Through our role in the design and build of the vessel, Serco worked with scientists and specialists in the Australian Antarctic Division to consider what the future for scientific research in the Southern Ocean will look like, and how this vessel can best meet the research and operational needs required over its 30-year lifetime.
“The result is a vessel that offers unrivalled scientific, logistics and icebreaking capabilities.”
At 160.3 metres long and 26,000 tonnes, the Nuyina will be more than one-and-a-half times longer than the current icebreaker, the Aurora Australis, and around three-times heavier. It will have a 1,200 tonne cargo capacity, enabling it to carry 96 20-foot shipping containers inside its holds. This will enable the vessel to conduct longer and more extensive voyages to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, and resupply Australia’s four Antarctic stations.
Construction of the vessel is being undertaken in Galati, Romania by shipbuilder Damen. In September, the Nuyina was successfully floated and transferred to the wet dock where construction will continue on the superstructure.
When complete, the Nuyina will rise to 10 decks at navigation bridge level and measure 50.2 metres from the keel to the top of the weather radar.
Serco will operate and maintain the vessel after its arrival in Hobart in 2020. Irwin said the project is expected to create hundreds of jobs for the region and provide opportunities for Australian businesses.
“We look forward to engaging with local industry as we move towards the operation and maintenance phase of this project. There will be a range of support services required over the expected 30-year life of the vessel, such as repair and maintenance, docking, security, cleaning, providoring and stevedoring.”
Expressions of Interest for industry partnerships are expected to open at the end of this year. The company has already commenced recruitment for key crew positions including the Master, Chief Engineer and Chief Officer. More information can be found here.