The first of two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries is set to be handed over to TT-Line next week, marking an albeit significant but delayed milestone in the project to upgrade the Bass Strait ferry service.
Spirit of Tasmania IV is currently undergoing final construction in Finland before TT-Line takes ownership on September 12.
The vessel will likely undergo additional work and testing before it sails to Australia.
Upon arrival in Devonport, the multi-million-dollar ferry will undergo further fitting out, a process that could take up to eight weeks.
It will be several more months before the new ship is ready to operate on the Bass Strait, according to TT-Line.
The second new ferry, Spirit of Tasmania V, is not expected to be delivered until next year.
Both vessels were initially expected to be in service by 2025, but various delays and cost blowouts have pushed back the delivery date several times.
Labor leader Dean Winter has called on Premier Jeremy Rockliff to provide an update on the project, saying it is worth $500 million to the economy each year and crucial for the north-west hospitality sector.
“There is still no sign of a design or costings for the patch job, Berth 1 proposal which will cost at least $50 million,” he said.
“The last update the government provided was that the first new ship would be sailing down the Mersey by August. It’s now September and it is nowhere to be seen.”
TT-Line said that all timings for the project are currently under review.
