Serco and the Australian Antarctic Division Mark 10 Years of Partnership

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Antarctic Division’s partnership with Serco.

On 28th April 2016, the Serco AsPac team’s contract commenced to manage the design, build, operations and maintenance of Australia’s world-class icebreaker, the RSVNuyina. Over the past decade, the contract – and the vessel itself – has evolved to become a complex, innovative platform for the delivery of groundbreaking results, enabling everything from science missions to medical evacuations and resupply voyages to the most remote parts of the globe. 🚢🗺️

Ronan Maguire, Serco’s ASRV Contract Director, has been with the Nuyina team since the very beginning, supported by Operations Manager John East. On this milestone anniversary for Serco’s proud and truly collaborative partnership with the AAD, Ronan reflects on the date’s personal resonance.

“Having being part of the ASRV team since 2016, it’s been rewarding to see how our partnership with the AAD has evolved and matured over time,” Ronan says.

“Being part of something that supports critical national capability in such a unique environment has been a highlight of my career. What I’m most proud of, though, is the team behind it, our people.

“Their expertise, resilience and commitment is the reason behind our sustained success over the last ten years.”

From the vessel’s maiden Antarctic season in 2021–22, which included the mapping of a previously unknown deep canyon at Vanderford Glacier, through to a successful and safe medical evacuation in August 2023, Serco’s RSV Nuyina team has worked closely with the AAD to ensure that every voyage is delivered with operational excellence.

Both Serco’s ship and shore teams are passionate about their work, and by constantly asking how further value can be delivered for the Australian Government, Australian community and taxpayers, have supported groundbreaking scientific discovery.

In 2025, the RSV Nuyina completed her longest and most successful voyage to date, enabling the AAD to access the Denman Glacier for the first time, which allowed for critical seafloor mapping, krill studies, and climate projections.

And just this year, Serco has been proud to support the AAD to make its first environmental campaign in 20 years to Heard and McDonald Islands, again enabling critical studies.

Today, as the team looks back on 10 years of trust, pride, care, safety and innovation, we would like to extend our thanks to the Australian Antarctic Division, led by Emma Campbell, the Hon Murray Watt – Minister for the Environment and Water, and the Hon Julie Collins – Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We also thank the Tasmanian community, particularly in and around Hobart, the home of the Nuyina.

We look forward to continued partnership to deliver many more years of safe, reliable maritime operations and innovation that cements Australia’s scientific leadership on the global stage and on the seas.