TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT plans to announce a decision about the future movements of the new Spirit of Tasmania ro-paxes have gone awry, thanks to the Royal visit.
The government on Friday [19 October] received a report prepared by August-appointed project consultants Ben Moloney and Peter Gemell to advise on the best way forward with regard to possible alternative infrastructure arrangements and vessel deployment.
However, last week’s resignation of deputy premier, treasurer and former infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson, and the unrelated stepping down of another minister necessitated a Liberal party cabinet re-shuffle. This was announced over the weekend, with Guy Barnett taking over the deputy premier and treasurer roles and Kerry Vincent appointed infrastructure minister.
But the new ministry cannot be sworn in until tomorrow [23 October] when Tasmania’s Governor, Barbara Baker, returns from attending the Canberra/Sydney visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla – and then Cabinet will have to consider the advisors’ report and make a decision.
Options include the temporary use by the new ships of the existing TT Line Berth 1 at East Devonport, pending completion of the new terminal at Berth 3 in early 2026, but this will mean the ships can operate at only 40% capacity and is considered unsafe in marine circles.
The ships could be laid up in overseas or Tasmanian waters until the terminal is ready or, in a ‘solution’ now being promulgated by some, chartered out to other operators in the short-term. DCNunderstands that whatever choice is made there is some urgency to sail the already-complete Spirit of Tasmania IV from the Finnish builder RMC before the Scandinavian winter sets in.
There are also unconfirmed reports overseas that the existing vessels, Spirit of Tasmania I and II have been pre-sold to new buyers who will be less than pleased with any delivery delays.
