Serco : Australia’s new icebreaker begins journey home

Australia's new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, has today begun its voyage to its new home port of Hobart, under the Serco crew.

After completing the final stages of testing in the North Sea, the Australian Government's RSV Nuyina was farewelled by its hardworking project team, designers and builders.

Serco Group CEO, Rupert Soames, had the opportunity to tour the vessel, providing his stamp of approval before the new icebreaker left the dock yards in Vlissingen, Netherlands.

Serco Asia Pacific CEO, Peter Welling, said he is immensely proud of Serco's vital role in supporting Australia's Antarctic Program.

'Commencing the delivery voyage to Hobart is a momentous occasion and it has been an incredible journey to get to this point,' Mr Welling said.

'We are thrilled to see Nuyina now under the operation of Serco's crew, and we are looking forward to its arrival in Hobart next month, where we will operate and maintain the vessel for up to 30 years.'

Serco Defence Managing Director, Clint Thomas, AM, CSC, said this is an exciting time for Serco's project team who have worked tirelessly throughout the vessel's build and testing phases.

'I am so impressed by our team's dedication to this project, which never faltered, even in the face of challenges posed by COVID-19,' Mr Thomas said.

'Serco are proud to have successfully project managed the overall ship design and build process for RSV Nuyina, drawing from our extensive experience designing, building, operating and maintaining Defence vessels for the past 30 years.'

Master of the ship, Captain Gerry O'Doherty, said he is excited to bring Nuyina home.

'It's a monumental occasion to take delivery of a brand-new icebreaker that's been custom designed and built for the Australian Antarctic Program,' Captain O'Doherty said.

'The people of Hobart will be blown away when they see the size of the ship. It's just very imposing and very impressive.'

Once it arrives, Nuyina will undertake an intensive period of testing, commissioning and certification of various systems and capabilities, including ice trials in Antarctica.

ENDS

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