One of the most advanced scientific research vessels in the world, the Nuyina was designed at the Romanian shipyard in Galati and is now on a month 's journey.

It will allow equipment installers teams from Western Europe to enter the ship for final commissioning of critical propulsion, electrical and navigation systems after work has been suspended due to a pandemic.

The ship made contact with the riverbank while being steered away from an uncharted pontoon. Visual inspections show only superficial damage and after an hour delay, Nuyina continued to the Black Sea and then to the city of Constanta, where divers are now undertaking a thorough examination of the hull,” said  Rob Bryson, Australian Antarctic Division General Manager Assets and Infrastructure.

Going to the Netherlands is a major step forward for the project and will allow technical experts greater access to the ship after months of COVID restrictions.

The RSV Nuyina is being towed 6,800 kilometers across the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar to reach the Netherlands by the end of August.

A single 50-metre tug boat is towing the vessel through the ocean channels, and up to three tugs can be used in some of the narrower canals.

Since the icebreaker has not undergone sea trials, it does not have the requisite regulatory certificates to conduct international voyages under its own authority.

Maritime Business World