The new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V will replace Spirit of Tasmania I and II on the Bass Strait service from October this year. Photo: TT-Line.
The second of two new ferries for Tasmanian Government-owned TT-Line has arrived in Australia ahead of an expected October 2026 entry into service.
The Spirt of Tasmania V arrived in Geelong on 2 May after a seven-week, 14,857 nautical mile voyage from Scotland via Gibraltar, the west coast of Africa, Mauritius and Fremantle.
The ship will undergo gantry testing in Geelong before being berthed at Station Pier in Melbourne. In June, it is scheduled to sail to Hobart for the final fit-out of local content, before entering service along with its sister ship in October.
“The vessels represent a generational investment in Tasmania’s future,” TT-Line CEO Chris Carbone said. “Their increased capacity will create new opportunities for local businesses and the visitor economy.”
The much delayed 48,000 tonne, 212 metre-long Spirit of Tasmania IV and V were built at the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard in Finland, and are scheduled to replace Spirit of Tasmania I and II on the cross-strait service between Geelong and Devonport.
Delays to the vessels’ construction caused initially by the pandemic and then disrupted global supply chains saw the cost of the two vessels rise and their launch dates slip. These delays were further amplified when it was discovered the existing berth at Devonport was not large enough to accommodate the new vessels.
While a plan for an upgrade to the Berth 3 facility at Devonport was decided, efforts to lease the vessels in Europe failed, and the two vessels were tied up for a time in Scotland before finally making the long journey to Australia.
Work on the $483 million Berth 3 project has been progressing steadily, with the fourth of seven gantry segments installed in April, and the main terminal building almost complete.
Tasmania’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Kerry Vincent, said the gantry installation was an important milestone for the project.
“Construction on the stevedoring building, the larger main terminal building and landscaping work are all progressing well,” he said.
“Vos Construction and Joinery is building the terminal with locally sourced timber, helping to keep our economy strong and support Tasmanian jobs.
“The broader berth project is on track to be completed in October 2026, which is just six months away.
“This will be an iconic gateway in and out of our state for countless numbers of visitors and freight,” he added.
“Our government is delivering for Tasmania by future-proofing tourism and freight demand with the new Spirit of Tasmania ships.”
In the meantime, the Spirit of Tasmania IV is receiving hull-strengthening upgrades at Williamstown in Melbourne to enable it to use the new Berth 3 and new dock fenders. It will then also sail to Devonport and Hobart for final fit-out and testing.
“We expect the vessel will be alongside in Hobart in late August for the final fit-out of items including Tasmanian-made mattresses and tabletops, cabin stores and artwork, and to undertake vessel crew training,” Mr Carbone said.
“The training for our crew involves emergency response exercises, passenger muster simulation, firefighting drills, deployment of lifeboats and the mass evacuation systems.”
