BASS Island Line has announced it is introducing a refrigerated container service. The company said it would help King Island residents deal with higher costs of living.
The intent of the new service is to allow retailers on the island to source produce and perishable goods from mainland Tasmania and provide more service options for retailers.
The freight service is being offered in addition to existing air-cargo services from Victoria.
Following an analysis of retail prices for perishable items, BIL found King Island residents were in some cases paying more than double what residents on mainland Tasmania pay.
BIL general manager Nigel Foss said the company has engaged directly with King Island retailers to determine interest in the possibility of a refrigerated container service.
“We will work with retailers and customers on King Island to assist to reduce the impact of cost-of-living pressures to the community on every day perishable food items,” Mr Foss said.
“We see the introduction of refrigerated container service as one way to help with this.”
Mr Foss said the existing Devonport to King Island transhipment service has already proved beneficial to the community.
“BIL has doubled the average number of TEU carried per voyage since we ceased a direct Victorian port call and instead introduced a transhipment service using SeaRoad Shipping.”
Mr Foss said the average TEU carried by the service in December last year and January this year was 22, but that number has grown.
“Following the introduction of the new service model, that number increased to an average of 39 TEU for voyages in March and April 2022,” he said.
“In comparison to most recent months, the average TEU per voyage for June and July was 32.”
