Serious issues  have limited the operations of Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker.

The Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina faced setbacks during a critical resupply mission to Antarctica, with both of its main cranes malfunctioning. 

This incident limited the amount of cargo offloaded at Mawson station, according to the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). 

The cranes, crucial for handling heavy containers, only allowed partial delivery of essential supplies, which were then transported to the station by helicopter.

The $528 million RSV Nuyina, essential for supporting Australia's Antarctic bases, has had a troubled history since its arrival in Hobart in 2021.

It has encountered various issues, including motor faults, software glitches, and propulsion system problems, leading to significant financial impacts on the AAD.

“You'd expect a new icebreaker, particularly of the magnitude of the Nuyina, to have some teething problems, [but] this [is] bordering on the farcical,” said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson in a recent estimates hearing.

He said Australia may need a secondary vessel to ensure the robustness of Antarctic operations and research activities.

Further complicating the situation, industrial action by the ship's engineers and marine officers has threatened to delay the Nuyina’s upcoming missions. 

The workers are in a pay dispute with Serco, the private operator managing the vessel, and have imposed bans on critical tasks such as loading and refuelling until their demands are addressed. 

In response, Serco has expressed commitment to resolving the dispute fairly and sustainably, seeking assistance from the Fair Work Commission to minimise disruption to the Antarctic missions.