RSV Nuyina: Design development of Australia’s new Antarctic vessel

Presented by

Mr Vic Doust

Icebreaker Project ILS Officer at Australian Antarctic Division

The Australian Government is delivering a new world-leading Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, to replace the Aurora Australis. This once in a generation commitment is the centrepiece of the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan launched in April 2016. The package will cover the design, build and 30 year operational and maintenance lifespan of the icebreaker, representing the single biggest investment in the history of Australia’s Antarctic program.

Serco Defence, an Australian wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, is responsible for delivering Nuyina to the Australian Antarctic Division and subsequently operating and maintaining the vessel for an initial term of 10 years.  Serco Defence has contracted Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding of the Netherlands for the design and construction of the vessel at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.

In this presentation, Vic Doust will provide an overview of the design development process for RSV Nuyina focussing on the resupply and logistics capabilities for resuppling Australia’s Antarctic and subantarctic research stations.