TT-Line loses ferry expert

THE resignation of the man in charge of building the TTLine’s replacement ferries has cast further doubt over the project’s timely completion, Labor says.

Massimo Soprano, the Government business enterprises’ head of strategic projects, quit on Friday.

Mr Soprano played a key role in the major refits of the current Bass Strait ferries.

He was a major player in the $700 million replacement project but has taken a job in New Zealand.

German company Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft is supposed to deliver the two 212-metre, 1800-passenger, 600vehicle ferries in 2021.

But serious financial problems at the shipyard have slowed down the delivery of orders already in the queue, raising questions over the TT-Line delivery timetable.

Labor infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said the project proceeding well.

“There were media reports of delays at the shipyard last week and we were accused of scaremongering — now the head of the project goes.

“The minister can’t just keep washing his hands of everything when something goes wrong. It’s this ‘she’ll be right’ attitude that’s the problem. It’s such a big investment.”

Mr O’Byrne said the Government itself had delayed the payment timetable for the new ferries.

“When you look at the budget timing, the final payment from the Government is due to be paid two years after they’re supposed to be delivered,” he said. “They’re supposed to be delivered in 2021 and the money’s not there until 2022-23. It just doesn’t add up.”

A Government spokesman said there were no concerns about Mr Soprano’s departure having an effect on the project.

A TT-Line spokesman confirmed the resignation. was not