Topic: Antarctic Research

Thursday, 4 June 2026, at 5:19 am

Computer simulations show the icebreaker hit the bridge four times.

In short:

Safety concerns stop the icebreaker from going under the bridge to refuel.

Tasmanian authorities are looking at all options to solve the refuelling problem.

What's next?

The government is considering letting the icebreaker go under the bridge, but the harbourmaster will decide.

Tasmanian authorities are rethinking the ban on the icebreaker going under the bridge.

The icebreaker cannot go under the bridge to refuel, so it must take a long detour.

The detour adds almost $900,000 to the icebreaker's fuel bill each year.

The bridge ban started in 2023 after simulations showed the icebreaker might hit the bridge.

The simulations showed the icebreaker hitting the bridge four times.

It would have hit the bridge ten more times if the simulation had not stopped.

TasPorts modelling shows the icebreaker colliding with the bridge.

In 1975, the Tasman Bridge partially collapsed, killing 12 people.

A government official said work is being done to see if the icebreaker can safely go under the bridge.

The ABC asked for more information, and a spokesperson said new modelling is being considered.

The state government is looking at three options to solve the refuelling problem.

One option is letting the icebreaker go under the bridge, but it is not the first choice.

A federal department said the proposed solution is not good enough.

All this work will continue over the coming months.

The state government will get a $2 million payment if the Commonwealth agrees to the refuelling solution by July.

The state government will not have a permanent solution by the deadline.

The harbourmaster will have the final say.

TasPorts's chief executive said all options are being considered.

TasPorts is exploring all options for a safe refuelling solution, including going under the bridge.

The harbourmaster's prior decision remains, but he is still considering what would make the icebreaker safe to transit.

Any reassessment would need to be supported by hard data, which will take several months to collect.

The Australian Antarctic Division icebreaker is at Macquarie Wharf, Hobart.

The Tasman Bridge is one of many risk factors to consider.

The data needs to inform techniques for the safe movement of the vessel.

Any future decision will be based on evidence and the harbourmaster's judgement.

The protection of life and infrastructure remains the top priority.

The bridge ban review was not started by the Australian Antarctic Division.

The Australian Antarctic Division asked about reassessing the bridge ban in 2024.

The AAD was told the decision would not change unless the icebreaker's hull was modified.

The AAD has formally given up trying to overturn the bridge ban decision.

Nothing has changed, according to the AAD.

The AAD is working with the harbourmaster on simulations and modelling for Macquarie Wharf.

The Australian government is talking to the Tasmanian government about a refuelling solution.

Thursday, 4 June 2026, at 5:19 am

Thursday, 4 June 2026, at 6:35 am

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