TT-LINE has announced a local contract that will see local products featured on the new Spirits of Tasmania.

Launceston-based Waverley Mills received the contract to supply 350 wool throw rugs, and separately, Hobart-based Hydrowood will supply timber from the state’s west coast to be used as wall-cladding on the new vessels.  

The two new vessels are under construction at the Rauma Marine Constructions shipyard in Finland. Spirit of Tasmania IV was launched on 27 October and is now moving into the next phase of construction, which includes interior design.

Waverley Mills’ partnerships and growth manager Penny Rundle said the company had previously manufactured wool rugs and quilts for Qantas and provided quilts for Spirit of Tasmania about 20 years ago.

“We no longer make quilts, but are very pleased to once again be providing Waverley-made products to Spirit of Tasmania, and we are incredibly proud that Waverley will be represented on the new vessels,” she said.

“As the oldest weaving mill in Australia, we are honoured that Spirit of Tasmania and Rauma Marine Constructions will showcase our product. 

“In purchasing from Waverley, Spirit of Tasmania and RMC are also recognising Tasmania’s wool growing heritage.”

And more than 6000 lineal metres of Celery Top Pine sourced from below the waters of Lake Pieman, harvested by Hydrowood, will feature in two semi-enclosed deck spaces on the new vessels.

Hydrowood is working with two other local business – AJB Furniture and Joinery and Brock Building Systems – to produce the finished profiles to be shipped and installed by Scan Marine in Finland.

“This is the first time Hydrowood has supplied timber for an international ship build and, hopefully, it demonstrates the capacity of our business to deliver premium Tasmanian timber to both domestic and international markets,” Hydrowood general manager Darren Johnson said.

“This project for the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels will showcase our uniquely Tasmanian timber products to locals and visitors to the state for years to come.”

Hydrowood is one of the world’s first underwater forestry operations, recovering submerged logs from the depths of water bodies and repurposing them into high-quality, usable timber.

Spirit of Tasmania managing director and CEO Bernard Dwyer said the company was supportive of any Tasmanian business providing content for its new vessels.

“The Celery Top Pine sourced from below the waters of Lake Pieman is a truly unique Tasmanian timber,” he said.

“Using this timber in wall cladding on the new ships is the perfect way for Hydrowood to showcase its timber products to our passengers, and for Spirit of Tasmania to support and promote Hydrowood’s venture to provide its Tasmanian timber to domestic and international markets.”

The new vessels are to feature up to $100 million in Tasmanian and Australian content.