Arabic version: عبّارات سبيريت الجديدة تبدأ خدمة الركاب عبر مضيق باس
According to ABC News, Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V are scheduled to make their inaugural passenger sailings across Bass Strait on Saturday evening. The vessels are due to depart Devonport and Geelong respectively at 6:45pm, starting service five years later than first planned.
The new ferries will replace the 28-year-old Spirit of Tasmania I and II, which have operated on the Bass Strait route since 2002. The replacements can carry 400 more passengers than the older ships, provide 60 per cent more vehicle space and have room for three times as many caravans and motorhomes. They also include upgraded amenities, including 18 pet-friendly cabins.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Amy Hills said the sector was excited and relieved to see the ships begin operations after years of uncertainty. Caravan park owner Luke Emmett said the extra capacity could give travellers more flexibility, particularly people seeking to bring caravans and motorhomes to Tasmania.
The replacement project was announced in 2017, with new ferries initially planned to enter service in 2021. A $714 million agreement with German shipbuilder FSG was cancelled in early 2020, before TT-Line later returned to Finnish builder Rauma Marine Constructions. The project has faced further delays, while TT-Line paid an additional $81 million to help ensure the vessels could be completed.
The Devonport berth and terminal required for the larger ferries were originally expected to cost $90 million and be finished in August 2024. The works are now estimated at $493 million. ABC News reported the overall project is costing $700 million more than the original business case forecast, while TT-Line’s debt is forecast to peak at $1.1 billion this financial year.
