Australia's Antarctic icebreaker ship, which has barely been in active service since being delivered in late 2021, will be out of action for this season due to delays in repairs.
Built in Romania by Dutch shipbuilding company Damen, Nuyina replaced its predecessor Aurora Australis after that ship was decommissioned after 30 years.
Heralded as a "Disneyland for scientists", the $528 million Nuyina is touted as being equipped with state-of-the-art technology and can support voyages of up to 90 days at a time.
The Nuyina experienced motor trouble prior to first arriving in Hobart in October 2021.
Its maiden voyage to Antarctica was later delayed due to an issue with the alarm and monitoring system.
'Spare part delay'
In a statement, an Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) spokesperson said the delays to the ship returning to Tasmania had been foreshadowed last year.
"In July, the AAD announced unexpected issues with Nuyina's propulsion system clutches and a resulting delay for spare parts would see the vessel unlikely to be used for the upcoming season.
"The AAD chartered Aiviq and cargo vessel, Happy Diamond for the 2022-2023 Antarctic season while RSV Nuyina undergoes scheduled maintenance and repairs in Singapore.
"Like all new and complex ships, Nuyina will require time for commissioning as it prepares to serve Australia's Antarctic and Southern Ocean science efforts in the decades ahead," the statement said.
The AAD said Nuyina is now expected to return in April.
The "vessel remains under warranty for the duration of maintenance in Singapore", it said.
Yesterday, AAD director Kim Ellis announced he was resigning after four years in the role.
In his statement, Mr Ellis noted the "introduction of new icebreaker Nuyina" had been among "some of the most challenging" moments of his career.
The ship has been described as the "centrepiece of the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan" announced in 2016 with $1.9 billion budgeted to "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".
When operational, Nuyina carries 117 passengers and 32 crew.
Nuyina means "southern lights" in Tasmania's palawa kani reconstructed Aboriginal language and was the winning entry from schoolchildren in a competition.
