The construction of Berth 3, required to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries in Devonport, remains on schedule for completion in February 2027.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz said “health checks” are currently being conducted on the $375 million project, which has faced significant delays from its original timeline.
The project was initially under TT-Line’s management but complications led to a significant restructuring, resulting in the resignation of former minister Michael Ferguson and TT-Line executives.
“TT-Line should never have taken on the project and they were far too confident about their capacity to deliver,” Abetz told a parliamentary committee on Friday.
He confirmed the entire development continues to be reworked under new management.
The Minister expects to provide a more detailed update on the project’s progress by mid-April.
“We are hopeful that will be ready by middle of next month .. and then we will be able to advise the committee, the Parliament and the people of Tasmania with more information,” Abetz said.
Previous discussions had suggested the possibility of completing the berth by late 2026 to align with Tasmania’s peak summer tourism season.
However, Abetz cautioned that the current timeline is a “best estimate” pending the outcome of the ongoing review.
“Given the sort of review that is currently taking place, the date that has been put in the media is, I suppose, best estimate and until such time as advice is provided to the contrary, that remains the date.”
