The $528 million ship, named Nuyina, was in August denied permission to travel under Hobart’s Tasman Bridge to refuel at Selfs Point because of safety concerns.

It has since been forced to refuel in Burnie in northwest Tasmania, more than 600km away.

“The estimated cost of refuelling the … Nuyina in Burnie, rather than at Selfs Point, is an additional $875,000 for the 2023/24 Antarctic season,” an Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) spokesman said on Wednesday.

The AAD expects the Nuyina to refuel twice in Burnie during the 2023/24 season.

Operations of the vessel, crucial to Antarctic research and outpost resupply, have been hampered by mechanical issues and maintenance delays since it arrived in Hobart in 2021.

In February 2022, TasPorts announced it had given approval, subject to further testing, for Nuyina to pass under the Tasman Bridge to reach Selfs Point.

The 160m-long ship is berthed at nearby Macquarie Wharf.

In August, the AAD said it had received advice from TasPorts that Nuyina was not permitted under the bridge.

An assessment found the ship did not meet the minimum safe criteria to go under the bridge as its hull did not have the level of stability of standard hulls when undertaking dynamic turns in windy conditions in confined waters.

The AAD has indicated it is not currently seeking an independent review of TasPorts’ decision.

Tasmania’s premier in August said a business case to explore different refuelling options in Hobart was being worked on.

The Nuyina replaced previous icebreaker Aurora Australis which completed its final voyage in 2020 after three decades of service.

A senate inquiry examining AAD budgeting and the impact of funding cuts is expected to deliver a report by the end of November.

The inquiry has heard some scientific programs have been cancelled or postponed and there was an AAD budget overspend of more than $40 million.