NUYINA A SYMBOL OF DUTCH-AUSTRALIAN MARITIME EXCELLENCE

NUYINA ARRIVES: ANOTHER MILESTONE IN DUTCH-AUSTRALIAN RELATIONS

After ten years of meticulous planning, design and construction, Icebreaker Nuyina arrives in Hobart on Saturday, 16th October 2021.  

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia, Mrs. Marion Derckx congratulates the vision, and commitment demonstrated by the Australian Antarctic Division behind this landmark occasion.  Ambassador Derckx also salutes the family-owned company Damen – the most sustainable ship builder in the world – on their achievement.  

"The Australian Government's investment in the Nuyina is a 1.9-billion-dollar endorsement of Dutch innovation and enterprise. The Nuyina celebrates a significant milestone in Dutch-Australian relations," says Ambassador Derckx.

The story behind the Nuyina underlines the expertise of our Dutch shipbuilding industry. One-hundred and twenty Dutch companies and knowledge institutions translated the vision of Danish concept designers Knud E. Hansen to purpose-build a vessel according to Australia’s specifications. Nuyina was completed at Damen’s Romanian shipyards within five years. Closely co-operating with Australia's vessel operators Serco, Nuyina now makes its home on Australia's shores as a 24,000 tonnes vessel with cutting-edge scientific equipment.

The Nuyina is one of more than 100 ships that Damen has built for Australia over the past 20 years. Notably, the majority of these vessels have since served in critical infrastructure operations, providing security, self-sufficiency, and resilience for Australian assets of national and economic importance.

“Nuyina is a shining example of the Damen’s long-term collaborative relationship with Australia. With the Australian Antarctic Division, the vessel operator Serco, Danish ship designers Knud E Hansen, and us here at Damen: everyone on this project gave it their best. It has been a true multi-national effort,” says Roland Briene, Commercial Director Damen Naval. “And now it is wonderful to see the Nuyina truly coming home.”

Nuyina is another demonstration of Dutch capability. We provide state-of-the-art solutions on budget and on time. Western Australia’s Boola Bardip museum, a collaboration between Dutch design company OMA and Australia’s HASSEL design is another illustration. Opening in 2020, the museum continues to earn international accolades for its sustainable innovations and ingenuity. Boola Bardip is recognised as one of the top ten museums in the world.

“Nuyina is a reminder of the strength and endurance of Dutch-Australian economic, trade and people-to-people connections that dates to 1606,” says Ambassador Derckx. The Netherlands is the fourth largest foreign direct investor in Australia. In 2020, the Netherlands invested $A52.8 billion in Australia. Exports from Australia to the Netherlands were valued at $A4427 million in 2018-2019, making the Netherlands the second largest destination in the EU for Australian exporters.  

“The spirit of Nuyina’s journey from the Netherlands to Australia will resonate for many years. As the most advanced polar research vessel in the world, Nuyina will provide a 30-year lifeline to Australia's three Antarctica research stations."

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES XENIA HANUSIAK | xenia.hanusiak@minbuza.nl | P: 0429 615 674