RSV Nuyina


Nuyina is Australia's upcoming Antarctic icebreaking research and supply vessel, intended to support Australian bases on that continent. The vessel can deploy a wide range of vehicles, including helicopters, landing barges and amphibious trucks to support the resupply operation. The new ship provides a modern platform for marine science research in both sea ice and open water with a large moon pool for launching and retrieving sampling equipment and remotely operated vehicles.

Design and construction

The original concept was developed by the Danish engineering company Knud E Hansen, and the design and construction is being managed by the Dutch Damen Group, which built the vessel in its Romania yard.
Following contractual agreement on 28 April 2016 with DMS Maritime Pty Ltd for delivery, operation and maintenance, the ship’s design and construction was contracted to Damen Group. Design was contracted to naval architects Knud E. Hansen of Denmark. The keel laying was in August 2017 at Damen’s Galați shipyard in Romania. Coins from Denmark, Netherlands, Romania, and Australia, were welded to the keel as part of the keel laying., about 7,000 tons out of 10,000 had been cut and the base of the hull had been completed. In September 2018 the hull was successfully floated in the building dock and taken to the outfitting quay.

Naming

On 29 September 2017, the name Nuyina was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Josh Frydenberg. The name is the word in the palawa kani language of the Tasmanian Aborigines for the southern lights. The name was suggested by school students in a competition, and is jointly attributed to students from St Virgil's College in Hobart and Secret Harbour Primary School near Perth, Western Australia.
The name Nuyina evokes the names of previous ships involved in Australian Antarctic research and investigation:
Nuyina is expected to arrive in its home port, Hobart, in 2020, and make its first voyage to Antarctica for the 2020-21 summer season. It will be operated by Serco Defence under the direction of the Australian Antarctic Division for the Australian Government.