The suitability of the Hobart Port to house the new $1.9billion Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina has been called into question, after upgrade works were declared a priority initiative by Infrastructure Australia.

Improvements to the Hobart port have been declared a priority initiative by Infrastructure Australia — the nation's "independent infrastructure adviser" — partly because the existing port "cannot accommodate" the new vessel, it said.

But the Australian Antarctic Division is adamant the ship "can be accommodated and operated at the Port of Hobart using current infrastructure".

Named Nuyina by schoolchildren as part of a competition, the Romanian-built ship is the replacement for the long-serving — and far smaller — Aurora Australis.

The Nuyina's displacement — the weight of water it pushes aside — is listed as 25,500 tonnes. The displacement of the Aurora Australis is listed as 8,158 tonnes.

The newly released 2021 Infrastructure Australia priority projects list highlights improvements to the Hobart and Burnie ports as projects that need attention within the next five years.

According to the document, "in its existing condition, the port cannot accommodate the Australian Antarctic Division's new purpose-built icebreaker, RSV Nuyina".

However, Infrastructure Australia later clarified that while the port could accommodate the vessel, it could not do so "efficiently".

The priority project list said the current condition of Macquarie Wharfs 4, 5 and 6 limit opportunities to grow trade, tourism and Antarctic exploration.

"The wharf assets are approaching end of life and require significant maintenance each year to sustain a minimal service level," the document said.

Options to address the issues at Hobart's deepwater port include wharf improvements, supporting infrastructure and a terminal or tourism visitor facilities.

The AAD's Rob Bryson said the vessel can operate from existing berths.

"In recent years, usage of these facilities by a variety of port users has increased dramatically and access is especially limited during the height of the Antarctic operating season in the summer months," he said.

The Antarctic Division and TasPorts have recently entered a five-year agreement to invest $3 million in minor infrastructure upgrades, such as fenders and bollards.

TasPorts chief executive Anthony Donald said his company was equipped to facilitate the berthing of the new icebreaker at Macquarie Wharves and had been in discussions with the Australian Antarctic Division over infrastructure requirements and suitable arrangements for the 160-metre vessel.

"These works will be completed prior to the vessel's arrival," he said.

That arrival is expected in the middle of this year.

In a statement in December, TasPorts said it was working with the Antarctic Division on longer-term arrangements to ensure "fit-for-purpose operational and infrastructure requirements are met".

The Infrastructure Australia list also details issues with the Port of Burnie, saying export opportunities were being limited because it could not accommodate large enough vessels.

It said the port could be expanded to become "the state's largest export gateway for bulk and containerised shipping".

"The Tasmanian government estimates that mining and minerals exports from Tasmania are capable of growing from 0.5 million tonnes per annum in 2019 to 6 million tonnes per annum by 2029," the report said.

"However, the current port capacity will limit this growth and increase supply chain costs for bulk exporters."

It suggests additional berth and terminal capacity to support larger ships.

In October, a section of the Burnie port collapsed while a ship was being loaded with woodchips. In December, a forklift fell off the end of a ramp, preventing a ship from being unloaded.

The driver was not injured.