TASMANIAN-made fire safety technology is being installed on the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

TT-Line said the two new vessels, currently under construction in Finland, will be the first ferries to operate in Australia equipped with the locally made marine fire safety insulation material.

Australian company CBG Systems designed and manufactured the material in Hobart. It lines the walls of steel ships and is designed to protect them in the event of a fire.

Fire protection is part of an international ship safety requirement stipulating passenger ferries need to be lined with a passive fire protection product.

CBG Systems managing director Javier Herbon said the new material was more than two years in the making.

“We have been working really hard to prepare an internationally certified product that can be used on vessels like the new Spirit of Tasmania ships,” he said.

“The technology has also been recognised internationally as the winner of 2022 IndoPacific Innovation Award.”

Mr Herbon said the project gave CBG Systems the opportunity to expand and develop a product that was applicable to steel ferries.

“In the event of a fire, the rapid access composite system contains the fire onboard the vessel for one hour, allowing for the safe evacuation of passengers.

“The unique insulation material not only provides fire safety for all onboard but has also been designed to be light weight, allowing the ships to save on fuel which in turn decreases environmental impacts.”

Mr Herbon said the contract with Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions would extend beyond the commercial transaction for the next two years with Spirit of Tasmania.

“It is an opportunity to increase our exposure and open up the market for many more projects to come in Australia and across the globe.”

CBG systems will work alongside RMC on the project, with two staff to travel to Finland for the installation of the product.

“The efforts we have seen from Spirit of Tasmania, the Tasmanian government and RMC to incorporate Tasmanian technologies has been exceptional,” Mr Herbon said. 

“Being able to work with RMC and its supply chains and technicians in Finland and Europe has been incredible.

“We are thrilled that Spirit of Tasmania and the Tasmanian government have embraced this level of connectivity and have provided us with this great opportunity that will go far beyond these two ships.”