Icebreaker forced to detour to Burnie to refuel

Antarctic icebreaker the Nuyina is being forced to make the lengthiest ocean trip between either ends of Tasmania just to fill up with fuel.

The Australian Antarctic Division thought it had been given the all clear to sneak under Hobart’s Tasman Bridge to refuel at Self’s Point early last year.

However, TasPorts is refusing approval for the icebreaker which is larger than its predecessor the Aurora Australis.

The ship will have to fill up in Burnie instead, bypassing Devonport, which is also deemed unsuitable.

The detour equates to an extra 364 nautical miles each way, totalling a 1350 kilometre round trip.