CONTRACTS to provide equipment and machinery for the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels have been awarded to three Tasmanian companies while the two new vessels are being built in Finland.
The contract to supply lifesaving equipment for the ships was awarded to Seamaster, which operates from Hobart and Devonport.
Washing machines and clothes dryers for the crew laundries will be provided by Hobart’s Tas Isle Trading. The company will also provide ongoing maintenance for the machines.
And Devonport-based Rapid Supply will supply the tools, equipment and machinery required by the crew for on-board maintenance and repairs.
Tasmanian minister for infrastructure and transport Michael Ferguson, said the state government is supportive of Tasmanian business providing content for the new vessels.
“Spirit of Tasmania and RMC [Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions] continue to work working closely with other Tasmanian companies to provide further opportunities to supply locally manufactured goods and services,” Mr Ferguson said.
He said RMC had recently advised TT-Line management that the vessels could be delayed by up to seven weeks, with the first ship completed in mid-June.
“RMC has advised it will continue to work diligently towards delivery and minimising or even making up any delay,” he said.
The first vessel, Spirit of Tasmania IV, was officially named and launched last month at a ceremony at the shipbuilder’s yards in Finland.
The Tasmanian government (which owns Spirt of Tasmania operator TT-Line) in March 2021 announced it would commission Rauma Marine Constructions to build the new vessels instead of hiring Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat.
