Spirit of Tasmania IV has faced another setback, with safety concerns ruling out its planned berthing in Geelong.
The first of the two new ferries arrived in Hobart in late August after a string of delays and budget blowouts saw it docked in Scotland for months.
TT-Line had intended to relocate the ship to Geelong to make way for the Tasmanian cruise season. However, it has now been confirmed that one of the proposed sites at Point Henry was deemed unsuitable for safety reasons. Additional bollards would be required to accommodate the vessel. Instead, the ferry will be berthed at the site currently used by the existing Spirit.
The vessel still can’t begin service in Tasmania, as the Port of Devonport doesn’t yet have a berth large enough to accommodate it. Operations are on hold until the completion of the new Berth 3 at Devonport.
Meanwhile, TT-Line has confirmed that the second new ferry, Spirit of Tasmania V, will remain in Europe until the end of the Australian summer cruise season – the most cost-effective option for storing the vessel. It is currently berthed in Finland, where it will stay until November.
“Spirit of Tasmania is finalising negotiations on berthing arrangements in Europe,” a spokesman said.
“We will provide an update once this process is complete. The ship is expected to stay in Europe until after the Tasmanian cruise ship season.”
The price tag for the two new ships has climbed from the original $850 million to $930 million, while the cost of the crucial Berth 3 project has ballooned from $90 million to $493 million. Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson exited the portfolio last year amid the fallout.
