Accompanied by her partner Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers, the Tasmanian Governor named the vessel in a long-standing traditional ceremony. Photo: Pinja Sarkkinen & Sammeli Korhonen.
The Governor of Tasmania Barbara Baker has officially launched and been named ‘Godmother’ of the brand new Spirit of Tasmania V in Finland.
At a traditional ceremony held in the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard, Ms Baker broke a bottle of Tasmanian sparkling wine on the vessels bow bringing it good fortune for its future journeys on the challenging open sea route between Geelong and Devonport.
“I am obviously delighted and honoured to have been asked to play this role for this vessel on behalf of the state of Tasmania,” said Ms Baker.
“The new Spirit of Tasmania vessels will be a major contributor to Tasmania’s visitor economy and the broader Tasmanian economy for many years to come.”
Spirit of Tasmania’s two current operational vessels were also built in Finland over 1998 and the state government decided to construct their replacements in 2017.
Last October the launch and christening ceremony of Spirit of Tasmania IV was held. It’s set to be delivered in August while V is due for completion early next year.
This new ship’s unveiling comes after Tasmania’s Labor Opposition led calls for an inquiry into the cost overruns and late delivery of the two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, which was established last month.
Vessel V hosts 1,800 passengers, 301 cabins, a speed of 26 knots (48 km/h), and 48,000 in gross tonnage. Photo: Pinja Sarkkinen & Sammeli Korhonen.
In May, the island state’s parliament discovered that Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, ordered by the TT-Line Company, will now cost an extra $81.6 million over the initially agreed amount of $850 million.
The Finnish shipbuilder in charge of the vessels construction, RMC, has been experiencing financial constraints particularly due to an increase in the cost of materials. Finland’s Government committed to match the $81.6 million amount and underwrite the future financial viability of RMC. TT-Line agreed to the revised contract on the condition that RMC would not have to pay late fees.
Spirit of Tasmania Managing Director Bernard Dwyer said the new vessels are the first purpose-built for Spirit of Tasmania for operations on Bass Strait.
“While they look very similar to the current vessels, they are much bigger and have substantially larger capacity for passengers, passenger vehicles and freight.”
RMC CEO and President Mika Nieminen said the TT-Line Company project they’re delivery is one of the largest individual export deals between Australia and Finland.
“The Spirit of Tasmania vessels are specifically designed for this route and its demanding sea conditions,” said Mr Nieminen. “I am extremely proud of the progress in the construction of these vessels.”
Spirit V will now return to the fitting-out dock for the completion of works. Spirit IV is now undertaking its second sea-trial.
