The Tasmanian Government has announced the anticipated early completion of a new berth to accommodate the incoming Spirit of Tasmania vessels, with the infrastructure now set to be ready four months ahead of schedule.
Berth 3 is now expected to be completed by October 2026, allowing the new ferries to begin operations in time for the 2026-27 peak summer season.
The new timeline comes at a cost, with the price of construction rising from $375 million to $493 million. The berth was originally budgeted at just $90 million.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff welcomed the new timeline for the critical infrastructure.
“This announcement today is welcome news for all Tasmanians. We said we would fix the spirits, and that’s exactly what we have done,” Rockliff said.
He said there are “many contractors on site, working tirelessly to pull out all stops to get this project delivered as quickly as possible”.
The new date comes ahead of the previously anticipated completion date of February 2027, a date pencilled after significant project blowouts.
The first of the new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV, is scheduled to depart Leith in Scotland around 26 May.
It is expected to reach Hobart by mid-July, after a roughly 36-day journey.
Upon arrival in Hobart, the vessel will undergo a six to eight-week final fit-out process, including installation of mattresses, linen, artwork and signage.
Crew will also complete vessel familiarisation and specific training, alongside compliance testing of equipment such as the Marine Evacuation Systems.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz provided details on the revised berth contract between TT-Line and partner BMD Constructions, which comes with a formal cost estimate of $493 million.
“The Government is pleased that the vessels will be able to start operating earlier to support growth in our economy and tourism sector,” Abetz said.
“The new contract … determines a way forward that will deliver faster timelines and improved project management.”
Labor said if Tasmanians thought “the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history couldn’t get any worse, they’d be sorely mistaken”.
“The project was first budgeted at $90 million. It then blew out to $375 million because the Liberals forgot to build it – a staggering display of incompetence which saw the business community declare it would be difficult to trust this Rockliff Minority Government ever again,” Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Anita Dow said.
“To make matters worse, Minister Abetz said the Government was paying bonuses out to executives because they had “fast-tracked” the project.”
The Premier expressed gratitude to the project team behind the accelerated timeline.
“I want to thank the new Chair Ken Kanofski and project director Paul Kirkwood for their hard work and dedication to getting this project on track,” Rockliff said.
TT-Line is currently considering lay-up berth options for Spirit of Tasmania IV once the Hobart works are completed, ahead of the new berth becoming operational in 2026.
