A former Scottish minister has suggested that the new Spirit of Tasmania ferry be leased to operate an international route between Scotland and Europe.
Kenny MacAskill, once Justice Minister and now the acting leader of the Alba Party, made the suggestion in a weekend article headlined ‘Oz blunder boat could be our link to Europe’.
Spirit IV is currently docked in Leith after arriving in early December and will remain there for a minimum of 30 days at a cost of $50,000 per week.
MacAskill said the ship, capable of carrying 1,800 passengers and hundreds of vehicles, could be used transport visitors between the countries.
“The Scottish Government and the UK Government should be getting together and making this happen immediately, it is obviously in the interests of everyone,” MacAskill told the Sunday Mail.
“It’s about vision and gumption which both appear to be sadly lacking.”
“Now they have the opportunity to provide this much needed connectivity.”
His colleague Neale Hanvey said it was an “easy win sat right in the Scottish Government’s lap”.
“[They] could lease the ship, Cal Mac could run the route and when the lease is up just lease another ship or keep that ship in active service, but in the interim use it we should.”
Operator TT-Line is currently exploring leasing options for the vessel, which cannot yet enter service in Tasmania as the required port infrastructure in Devonport remains unfinished.
If leasing options prove unsuccessful, it is thought the ferry could stay docked overseas for almost three years.
Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter has criticised the leasing proposal, arguing it should never have been considered and is calling for the vessel to be returned to Tasmania.
