THE board of TT Line has appointed Chris Carbone as the ferry company’s new CEO.
Mr Carbone comes to the Bass Strait ropax operator from the Toll Group, where he was president of Resources & Industrials, overseeing a division with more than 100 operating sites, 2,000 team members and over $1 billion in revenue.
The board chair, a board director, the Secretary of the Department of State Growth and an independent member recommended the appointment of Mr Carbone to the Board.
TT-Line chairman Ken Kanofski said the new CEO was selected from a number of strong candidates after a search process that attracted applicants from across Australia.
“Mr Carbone’s demonstrated relevant experience and career achievement to date made him the primary candidate for the role,” Mr Kanofski said.
“Prior to his current position, Mr Carbone has held a number of senior positions within Toll and at Coles and Linfox.”
The Tasmanian Government welcomed the appointment, with Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, saying Mr Carbone brought a wealth of knowledge to the role, having previously held senior positions at transport and logistics companies.
“Mr Carbone’s experience and knowledge will be vital to the future success of TT-Line,” Mr Abetz said.
Mr Carbone will begin in his new role on 12 May. He replaces acting CEO Kym Sayers who, in turn, was elevated to interim CEO when long-serving chief Bernard Dwyer stepped down last November after choosing not to renew his contract.
Meanwhile, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has shot down suggestions from Mr Abetz last week that the second of TT Line’s new, Finnish built ro-paxes Spirit of Tasmania V, now undertaking sea trials, might also be offered for charter ahead of likely service entry in February 2027.
The state government recently abandoned proposals to lease out Spirit of Tasmania IV and will soon sail the vessel to Tasmania after a period in lay-up in Leith, Scotland. Mr Rockliff said the government’s advice was that it was unlikely any charterer would want a relatively short-term lease of c. 18 months.
Separately Mr Abetz has debunked claims by Labor leader Dean Winter that the much-delayed TT Line East Devonport terminal is unlikely to be ready by the expected completion date of February 2027.
