The first two sections of a 700-tonne purpose-built gantry have been installed at Devonport’s Berth 3, as part of the $493 million Spirt of Tasmania terminal project.
The western legs of the seven-piece steel structure were lifted into place over the last week.
When complete, the gantry will stand 32 metres above sea level and span 38 metres wide.
It will serve as the main vehicle loading ramp for the two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, connecting the ships to a concrete shore ramp being built by local firm BridgePro Engineering.
TT-Line chief information officer Nigel Bailey said the gantry was a critical piece of infrastructure for the new terminal.
“The gantry itself will be in seven pieces … and it will have four steel ramps to connect to the ships,” he said.
The remaining five sections are expected to be assembled by mid-year, ahead of the October deadline for the new Spirits to enter the Bass Strait service.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the project was on track and would deliver a 40% uplift in both passenger and freight capacity.
“This is just another example of the new era of opportunity that we have in Tasmania when it comes to key infrastructure projects,” he said.
BridgePro chief operating officer Jack Van Eck said his team of 25 to 30 workers had been on site since November 2024 building the concrete ramp.
“It’s probably one of the most complex concrete structures that we’ve had to do,” he said.
The gantry is purpose-built for the site and differs from the one at Geelong due to tidal conditions in the Mersey River.
Bailey declined to provide a cost breakdown for the gantry but said the broader Berth 3 project was “well within the budget that’s been allocated”.
Once the gantry is complete, both Spirit of Tasmania IV and V will be brought into the Mersey River for testing before entering service.
