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Chinese icebreakers have been invited to expand their use of Hobart as part of a push by the Tasmanian government to capitalise on China's growing interest in Antarctica.
Prior to the pandemic, China's two main polar research vessels, Xue Long and Xue Long 2, made regular port stops in Hobart on their way to Antarctica, generating significant revenue for Tasmanian suppliers.
But since then, there has only been a single visit to the city by one of the ships, earlier this year.
The vessels have instead been stopping off at Fremantle in Western Australia.
Xue Long last visited Hobart in March this year — the only time a Chinese icebreaker has arrived since 2020. (ABC News: Peter Curtis)
Earlier this month, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff led a trade mission to China, which involved a visit to the Polar Research Institute of China in Shanghai.
The visit had "the clear purpose to invite Xue Long 1 and 2 vessels to re-engage and utilise the Port of Hobart as part of their Antarctic program," the Tasmanian government said in a statement.
Hobart is considered one of five global Antarctic "gateway cities" because of its proximity to the Southern Ocean and beyond.
The city is the home port of Australia's $528 million icebreaker, RSV Nuyina.
Hobart also routinely plays host to other polar ships, including the French icebreaker L'Astrolabe and the US Coast Guard's Polar Star.
Hobart's Macquarie Point acts as a pit stop for many polar vessels on their way to Antarctica. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
Tasmanian firms see 'great business' opportunity
The campaign to lure the Xue Long and Xue Long 2 back to Hobart comes as China continues to expand its Antarctic operations.
This includes the opening of China's fifth Antarctic research station in February, as well as the construction of two new ice-going vessels.
Tasmanian Polar Network chairman Richard Fader, who joined the recent trade mission, said China's increased focus on the frozen continent offered opportunities for Tasmania.
"The season before COVID, we had five port calls of [Chinese] vessels where they picked up Tasmanian produce and services to support their operations in the Antarctic," Mr Fader said.
"China has expanded their operations … and there is great business there for Tasmanian businesses in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector to help support their operations."
Mr Fader believes Hobart would benefit from more frequent visits from the Chinese icebreakers. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
Tasmania's Antarctic sector currently generates an estimated $183 million each year for the state's economy.
Mr Fader said attracting the Chinese icebreakers back to Hobart would yield additional economic benefits.
"The [trade mission] to China was basically to rekindle those relationships and tell the Chinese that Tasmania is a great resupply support for the east Antarctic," he said.
Documents reveal future interest in Hobart
Despite its limited use of Hobart in recent years, China's Polar Research Institute appears to have been keeping its options open in relation to the city.
Documents released to the ABC under Right to Information laws show the institute's shipping agent contacted TasPorts in June to enquire about one of its yet-to-be-built ships potentially using Hobart.
"The principal of Xue Long is planning to build a new ship," the agent wrote in June.
"Could you give them the idea about the safe passage of Hobart [Tasman] Bridge — the maximum of height of the ship clearance under bridge?"
Nine ice-class vessels have approval to travel under Hobart's Tasman Bridge. (ABC News)
Ships in the Port of Hobart require the harbourmaster's approval to travel under the Tasman Bridge to reach the refuelling depot at Selfs Point.
TasPorts told the ABC that nine ice-class vessels already have such approval, including China's Xue Long and Xue Long 2.
Australia's icebreaker, however, is prohibited from making the short journey because of concerns that a relative lack of directional stability could lead to a catastrophic collision with the bridge.
It means the RSV Nuyina instead must refuel in Tasmania's north-west — a 660-kilometre detour that adds almost $1 million to its annual fuel bill.
In a bid to resolve the debacle, the Tasmanian government is planning to release an expression of interest for a Hobart-based fuel barge by the end of the year.
TasPorts said the shipping agent's enquiry earlier this year had not led to a formal application for a new Chinese icebreaker to travel under the bridge.
Polar analyst recommends cautious approach
Australia and China have collaborated on research and logistics in Antarctica for several decades.
But the two countries haven't always seen eye to eye when it comes to Antarctica.
Qinling is China’s newest station to begin operations in Antarctica. (ABC News: Erwin Renaldi)
In 2022, former prime minister Scott Morrison questioned China's adherence to the Antarctic Treaty System, which includes provisions on environmental protection and non-militarisation.
"They don't share the same objectives as Australia … as a treaty nation, when it comes to protecting Antarctica," Mr Morrison said at the time.
Earlier this month, China teamed up with Russia to block key conservation proposals at an Antarctic conference in a move described by Australia as a "backward step".
Dr Elizabeth Buchanan, a polar geopolitical analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said Tasmania's bid to attract the Chinese icebreakers should be done with caution.
Dr Elizabeth Buchanan has recommended a new Antarctic-related MOU between Australia and China. (Supplied: Elizabeth Buchanan)
"On a broader strategic level, what seems to be emerging is this alternative order or design on Antarctica that is being led by China and Russia," she said.
Dr Buchanan said Hobart should not simply be viewed "as a gas station … for states like China to utilise to support their Antarctic missions".
Australia and China signed an Antarctic-related memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2014, but it expired in 2019 and has not been renewed.
A separate Antarctic gateway MOU signed in 2013 between Tasmania and China's State Oceanic Administration has also expired.
Dr Buchanan recommended a new MOU be agreed to before any potential resumption of regular visits to Hobart by the Chinese icebreakers.
"MOUs need to be redrafted with clear expectations from both parties," she said.
The last Antarctic MOU was signed by Tony Abbott and Xi Jinping in Tasmania in 2014. (Supplied: Australian Antarctic Program)
A spokesperson for the Australian Antarctic Division said Australia was committed to the Antarctic Treaty system and would expect China to uphold the provisions in the agreement.
"We have made clear to China our expectations that it should adhere to the Antarctic Treaty system, particularly its rules and norms of non-militarisation, environmental protection, freedom of scientific investigation and international cooperation," they said.
The ABC contacted the Polar Research Institute of China, but they did not reply.
Earlier this year, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: "China always makes sure that our activities are consistent with the stipulations of the Antarctic Treaty System."
Tasmania's Department of State Growth said it had not yet received any indication about if or when the Chinese icebreakers might return to Hobart.
The Antarctic Treaty was established in 1959 and governs Antarctica as an international partnership for peace and science. (Australian Antarctic Division: Richard Youd)