The billion-dollar-plus ship Nuyina is under construction in Romania and due to arrive at its home port in Hobart in July 2020.

It will set sail for trips to Antarctic thereafter.

The vessel is being fitted-out internally and will be put through 190 specialist tests in June, building and maintenance contractor Serco Australia said on Wednesday.

Its propulsion, bilge, ballast and other auxiliary systems will be analysed.

Nuyina will then undergo sea trials designed to ensure the ship can operate in testing Antarctic conditions.

Those include deep water testing for scientific research deployments and the measurement of acoustic noise to see whether the ship achieves its 'Silent R' rating and is suitable for operating in ice and low temperatures.

At 160 metres, Nuyina is more than one-and-a-half times longer than the nation's existing icebreaker, Aurora Australis, and will be about three times heavier.

It was named after a Tasmanian Aboriginal word for the Southern Lights

The Dutch-designed ship will be able to carry 1200 tonnes of cargo, 32 crew and 117 expeditioners.

They will be sailing in relative luxury - the boat includes a 96-seat theatre, library and couch-filled observation deck.

Australian Associated Press