Early today, TasPorts Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald fulfilled the long-held maritime tradition of the port plaque exchange with Serco Master of RSV Nuyina Paul Clarke.
Posted
11 November 2021
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The plaque formally recognises the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) vessel’s maiden voyage to her home at the Port of Hobart in October of this year.
RSV Nuyina will be the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research.
The icebreaker can handle waves up to 14 metres high, and hurricane-like wind speeds up to 12 on the Beaufort scale.
Over the next two years, RSV Nuyina will undertake commissioning activities, as AAD and Serco employees learn and operate the ship’s systems.
In preparation for the RSV Nuyina’s arrival, TasPorts worked alongside AAD to jointly invest $3 million in infrastructure upgrades at Macquarie Berth 6. This has included installing new bollards and fenders to ensure the berth’s suitability for the 160-metre vessel.
Longer term, TasPorts is pursuing an ambitious growth agenda for the Port of Hobart and earlier this year announced a major multi-million dollar initiative to redevelop Macquarie Wharfs. The works at Macquarie Wharf will position the Port of Hobart as the international gateway to the Southern Ocean, actively supporting world-class Antarctic exploration and scientific research while enabling growth in key trade areas such as bulk export, containers and tourism.