Nuyina, Australia's newest icebreaker, has left the Dutch port of Vlissingen to commence trials in the North Sea.
The month-long sea trials will be followed by additional weeks of deepwater trials. Testing of the ship's speed, noise, propulsion systems, steering, advanced electrical systems, and science equipment will take place as it prepares for final sea ice trials in the Arctic early next year.
With capacity to carry 117 expeditioners, 1,200 tonnes of cargo and 1.9 million litres of fuel, the icebreaker is expected to serve as the main lifeline to Australia's Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations in the coming decades. It will also be equipped for studying the depths of the Southern Ocean, sea ice, and the upper atmosphere.
Nuyina will be homeported at the Australian Antarctic Division's headquarters in Hobart.
The trials are being conducted by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS).
