There’s been another major hiccup in the long-awaited rollout of the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.
While the ferries are now due to arrive in the Apple Isle at the end of this year and early next, it has just been revealed that the port infrastructure won’t be ready in time.
It means the $880m vessels will sail with greatly reduced vehicle and passenger numbers for at least their first year of operation.
The Mercury newspaper reports that state parliament has now been told that the new ferries, which have room for 1800 passengers and 4098-lane metres capacity for vehicles, will initially operate at the 1400 passenger and 1675-lane metre capacity of the old ferries.
The construction of Spirit of Tasmania V began with a traditional steel cutting ceremony back in 2022. PIC: RMC
This means the ferries will depart with the equivalent of 400 passenger berths and 300 car spots empty each sailing, and that will continue until upgrades to Devonport’s Berth 3 are completed … most likely in 2026.
In the meantime, an estimated $50m will be spent on upgrades to Berth 1 at Devonport.
“When operating from Berth 1, the new vessel will be able to carry the same number of passengers, passenger vehicles and freight containers as the current vessels,” a TT-Line spokesman told the Mercury. “It is an interim solution only. Berth 3 is designed to operate fully functional vessels, similar to the current Geelong Port.”
The Mercury reports that it’s long been known that Berth 3 at Devonport would need to be upgraded to accommodate the new vessels. While the original quote for that in 2020 was $90 million, TT-Line says that blew out and it ripped up its tender and went back to market.
The new quote for the completion of the works has come in at $375 million, with a predicted 2026 completion date.
The ABC reports the Labor Opposition as describing the situation as ‘biggest infrastructure stuff-up [in] Tasmania’s history’.
However, it reports that Premier Jeremy Rockliff told parliament there were still significant benefits from having the new ships, even with the temporary berth.
“Spirit IV is much more efficient when it comes to freight and a new freight loading system,” he said. “It’s safer for caravans and campervans and vehicles with the wider lanes, it provides a much better customer experience and is more fuel efficient.”
He said while it was a difficult project, Tassie would ‘get the job done’.
The project to upgrade the existing ferries, which are more than 25 years old, has been beset by a series of delays and issues dating back many years.
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Typical liberals they stuff up everything they touch.
Unlike the current Federal Labor Government.
And what country are you in at the moment?
Added onto the problem of why the new ship loader in Burnie is not in use. The designer forgot to check that the wharf co7ld handle the additional load. NO is the answer,so there’s a 50 million stuff up
Give the job to the federal government then we will see a stuff up
Ian’s obviously a long term labour supporter in spite of their dreadful policies and record
The hold up will be something to do with the CFMEU the same as everywhere else
It is quite obvious to me that this Mess is not contributed to the current TAS Govt look back at the records.
Why can’t they keep 1 of the older ferries working so there are 3 running, so they can increase numbers as planned? Change schedules & think outside the box.
Janet common sense but sadly common sense and government will never ever be used in a sentence
Great idea, so disappointing to hear this news.
Why keep a high maintenance and old design in service at an extremely high cost?
Would you pay a higher unsubsidised fare to use the costly older model?
Great idea.
I just hope they can still fit my motorbike and carry 2 passengers at the time of our sailing in Spring 2025.
Why not continue to run the current ferries? Alongside the new ones until the terminal upgrades are completed or is the existing fleet in poor condition and not sea worthy enough to continue?
There is time, if they act now to source and train the additional sea going personnel to operate the ships.
Same problems with the new Sydney Ferry’s and they want to decommission the big Manly Ferry’s
I know from years of experience, that Tasmania can’t ever get anything right, you would have to live here (as I do) to witness the unbelievable incompetence of this state, from the government right down to shopkeepers and tradesmen, and i can tell you for certain, they would not last five minutes in the real world of Sydney or Melbourne.
The Tasmanian Liberals have deliberately sabotaged the introduction of the new ships in an attempt to stem the record number of Tasmanians moving to the mainland. Who could blame them when you live in a state that has the worst health and education systems in Australia!
Grey ….a case in point, I, a 76 year old. called the local “health care center” (hospital) to report that I was suffering severe chest pain and was told “the doctor could book me in for an appointment in about three to four weeks time” W.T.F!! luckily I survived but still don’t know what caused it.
Should have given the project to Bob Brown – then you would see a real stuff up.
Keep the freight on the freight vessels and allow the grey nomads on the vessels so we don’t have to book nearly 13 months in advance.
Looking forward to the new boats
I was in Finland in June last year and saw the one of the boats being built at the shipyards in Rauma. I’ve been wanting to go to Tassie but won’t until the new boats are fully operational, as I imagine most people will also want to do.
Steven Clark accusing Labour for “dreadful policies and record” He must have been living under a rock during for 10 years when the Federal Liberal Government gave us $100 Million Sports Rorts. $300 Million Carpark Rorts. Inland Rail Project estimated $14.5 Billion now $31.5 Billion still ongoing! Snowy 2.0 Hydro Scheme estimate $2 .5 Billion now $12 Billion still digging! And the French Submarine purchase, cost tax payers $850 Million in damages and no subs ! Easy to see why mainland Australia got rid of Liberal Governments!
I’ve been hearing about this for months now how about put on extra workers and just get it done!
Time to build a bridge between tas and the mainland