The Spirit of Tasmania IV undergoes sea trials at the Rauma shipyard in Finland. Photo: Spirit of Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government has begun looking to charter its new Bass Strait ferry from its new, and temporary, ‘home’ in Scotland.
The Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry sailed from the Rauma shipyard in Finland and arrived at Leith on December 3.
The government says the ferry owners, TT-Line, secured a berth for at least 30 days at an average weekly cost of $47,534 “plus ancillary services” (totalling $190,136).
Transport Minister Eric Abetz attacked Opposition Leader Dean Winter’s claim that the deal cost taxpayers $280,000, saying the figure was “significantly less” than his claim.
He also said sea trials were conducted onboard the ferry during the voyage.
“The sea trials tested the vessel’s systems, performance and capabilities under real-world conditions before heading to Scotland,” Abetz says.
“It is prudent to relocate the ship to Leith while leasing options are explored.”
“To have it relocated to Tasmania whilst these options are explored would be far more expensive and waste a significant amount of taxpayer money.”
In Devonport, pile-driving work on a main vehicle ramp at a new terminal for the ferry has begun with 60 per cent of the project due for completion by Christmas.
A Tasmanian Department of State Growth report says that if the ferry cannot be leased in Scotland, TT-Line will look for medium-term storage option for it in Tasmania free of charge from TasPorts.
A February 2027 completion date has been flagged for the terminal by Infrastructure Tasmania although there are hopes to accelerate construction to October 2026 in time for the summer sailing period.
The department says there will be eight more sailings of the current ferries over January, February, April, and May 2025 on top of 20 extra sailings scheduled for April, September, and October 2025.
It also states that leasing of a second ferry, due for delivery in late 2025, will also be considered.
Two ferries, Spirit I and II, currently serve on the Geelong-Devonport route.
