The Italian-registered ship and eight crew members were moored at the Steamer Basin over winter. The 130m ice-strengthened cargo ship provides support for the Italian Antarctic base on the coast beside the Ross Sea. The 1980-built 5825 gross tonnage vessel arrived in Dunedin in March, and berthed at the Birch St wharf.
It has been visiting the Antarctic since 1990, and can take 92 passengers.
Shipping agent Bruce King said the ship was headed to dry dock in Auckland for about a month for hull repairs, before sailing to Lyttelton to load up for its return to the Antarctic.
Scientists going to the Italian base would board, and the ship would load about 20 containers of equipment and provisions, and fuel.
Mr King said Italica would be in the Antarctic for about two months.The crew had enjoyed their stay in Dunedin, particularly the convenience of being able to walk from the ship to the city centre, he said.
Port Otago had been "very good for us", and while decisions had not been made, there was a "high possibility" the ship would return to the city, he said.
