Local work vow on new Spirit fit-outs

TT-LINE is promising Tasmanian business won’t miss out on fitout contracts for two new Bass Strait ferries.

The Spirit of Tasmania operator has announced two purpose-built vessels will be fast-tracked and sailing the route in 2021.

TT-Line has short-listed several international shipyards ahead of a competitive tender to build the boats two years earlier than expected.

No Australian shipyard had the capability to build the 212m monohull ferries required, the government business said.

But Tasmanian firms would get a piece of the action, said Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding.

“We have the opportunity to interact with the winning tenderer to use, for instance, Tasmanian special timbers throughout the vessels,” Mr Hidding said.

“Those kinds of fitout opportunities are there but all subject to negotiations.”

The new ferries will replace the Spirit of Tasmania I and II, which have been in service on the Devonport to Melbourne route since 2002. Near-capacity freight bookings and surging demand from passengers will result in vessels 30 per cent larger than the current fleet.

Passenger capacity will be boosted from 1400 to 2000, freight capacity by 39 per cent and passenger vehicle space by 71 per cent. Passenger numbers are tipped to surge from 434,000 in 2016-17 to 558,000 in a decade. In the same period, freight would increase from 103,000 trailers to 147,000, TT-Line said.

No State Government money beyond $20 million contributed to TT-Line’s $180 million ferry replacement fund would be required, Mr Hidding said. But the full cost of the boats would not be revealed until negotiations were complete. “As soon as contracts are signed, it’s the sort of thing as a Government we’d be pleased to provide to Tasmanians,” Mr Hidding said.

Tourism Industry Council chief Luke Martin described the announcement as historic.

“Today is the most significant day for Tasmanian tourism since the opening of Mona,” he said.

Visitors arriving on the Spirit stayed an average of nine days longer, spent $1200 more and visited more places than those flying into the state, Premier Will Hodgman said.

“This is the single biggest investment into tourism and infrastructure in our state’s history,” he said.

A $30 million refurbishment of the current Spirits has been completed in recent years.

Opposition infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad welcomed the announcement, but said more details were needed.

“The Government grabbed $160 million from TT-Line to make its budget look better but that’s obviously a long way short of the total replacement cost,” Dr Broad said.