Ban on travelling under bridge being reviewed amid refuelling debacle

Computer-based simulations show Australia's Antarctic icebreaker "hit" Hobart's Tasman Bridge four times. (ABC News)

Safety concerns currently prevent Australia's Antarctic icebreaker from travelling under Hobart's Tasman Bridge to reach a nearby refuelling depot.

But Tasmanian authorities say "all options" are on the table as the state government tries to resolve the costly refuelling issue.

The Tasmanian government says allowing the RSV Nuyina to transit under the bridge is one of three options under consideration, but the harbourmaster will have the final say.

Tasmanian authorities are reconsidering a ban that prevents Australia's Antarctic icebreaker from travelling under Hobart's Tasman Bridge.

The RSV Nuyina, which has its home port at Macquarie Wharf, is currently not allowed to go under the bridge to reach the nearby refuelling depot at Selfs Point.

Instead, the ship must make a 674-kilometre detour to refuel at Burnie in the state's north-west, adding almost $900,000 to its annual fuel bill.

The bridge ban was implemented in 2023 after TasPorts' harbourmaster determined the Nuyina did not have the required "directional stability" to safely transit under the bridge.

The assessment was based on 109 computer-based simulations in which the virtual Nuyina "hit" the bridge's central pylons four times.

It would have collided with the pylons a further 10 times if the simulation had not been called off mid-journey.

TasPorts modelling showing icebreaker Nuyina colliding with Tasman Bridge pylon, from TasPorts documents obtained through RTI. (TasPorts)

In 1975, the Tasman Bridge partially collapsed after an ore carrier struck the pylons, causing the deaths of 12 people.

At a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, the Department of State Growth's acting secretary, Shane Gregory, said work was being done with the harbourmaster around "potential transit".

In response, a spokesperson said: "TasPorts is considering new modelling to determine if there is any feasibility of the vessel travelling under the bridge."

It's one of three options the state government is considering after promising in 2024 to find a refuelling solution as part of a deal with the Commonwealth to upgrade Macquarie Wharf.

"[The bridge transit] is the third of three potential live options currently being examined, behind a barge and a holding tank," the State Growth spokesperson said.

A federal department says the Tasmanian government's proposed interim solution to a costly refuelling saga affecting Australia's Antarctic icebreaker is "far from" acceptable.

Under the $188 milli