AUSTRALIAN icebreaker Nuyina has returned to service after spending a year in a Singapore shipyard.

The research vessel arrived at its home port of Hobart on 24 April for sea trials and familiarisation exercises with TasPorts’ pilots.

Nuyina sailed to Singapore in April last year for maintenance and repairs.

It was due to return to Australia in October 2022, but material shortages delayed the trip home and a planned Antarctic voyage. A chartered ship sailed to Antarctica in its place.

But having returned to service, Nuyina is preparing to depart for Macquarie Island on 10 May.

TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said TasPorts approved Nuyina for sea trials in Hobart under the direction of the Tasmanian harbour master.

He noted the vessel was last year granted conditional approval to transit the Tasman Bridge. The vessel needs to sail under the bridge to refuel at Selfs Point.

“Whenever a new type of vessel enters a Tasmanian port, we undertake critical risk assessment work,” Mr Donald said.

“Further rigour to this assessment is required for bespoke vessels like the Nuyina. This work has been peer reviewed by leading maritime consultant OMC International and marine pilots with local experience operating in the Port of Hobart.”

Mr Donald said transiting the Tasman Bridge transit is a complex task.

“While the river may look calm, there are a range of environmental conditions that are considered for each transit,” he said.

“Every transit requires precision planning and teamwork between the vessel’s bridge crew, TasPorts’ marine pilots, towage and marine operatives and TasPorts’ Vessel Traffic Services Centre.”

The Australian Antarctic Division said the sea trials would produce a set of “operationally acceptable” environmental limitations for transiting under the bridge.

The AAD said Nuyina’s voyage to Macquarie Island will cap off the 2022-23 Antarctic season.

“Nuyina will deliver hundreds of tonnes of cargo to Macquarie Island research station and transport scientists undertaking ecological, ocean and atmospheric research,” it said.

The operation will, according to the AAD, see cargo and equipment transferred by a combination of barges, workboats and helicopters.

“Once at Macquarie Island, Nuyina will serve as a floating platform for scientists from a suite of different agencies.

“Following its voyage to Macquarie Island, Nuyina will return to Australia before heading south again for the harsh environment of the Southern Ocean.”

Looking to the year ahead, the AAD said Nuyina is still in its commissioning and testing phase, but plans for the 2023-24 summer season include multiple voyages to Antarctica to resupply stations and conduct marine science research.

“The vessel has previously carried out operations at Casey and Davis research stations in Antarctica as well as Macquarie Island,” AAD said.

“Nuyina is one of the most complex scientific icebreakers in the world and will serve Australia’s interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean for the next 30 years.”