WITH NO SHORT- or medium-term charter in sight, TT Line has renewed temporary lay-by arrangements for ro-pax Spirit of Tasmania IV in Leith, Scotland for at least another month.
And after the first broker appointed to find possible interim employment for the ship told the state government-owned line there was “not a strong likelihood” the UK’s Clarksons was engaged at the end of December.
In the interim, the ship will remain at Leith while the search continues, with the government saying TT Line has extended its berth lease a further 30 days at an average weekly cost of $23,915, plus ancillary costs.
“This is significantly less than the cost of berthing the vessel for the first 30 days, which was at a weekly cost of $47,534 plus ancillary costs,” the government said in a statement. It continues to stress that retaining the ship in Scotland will provide the best chance of finding employment.
Nevertheless, the Tasmanian Opposition has also continued its calls for the ship – and still-to-be-completed sister Spirit of Tasmania V – to be “brought home” for storage, until TT Line’s East Devonport terminal can be made ready in early 2027.
Labor claims $600,000 per month, including $380,000 in crew costs, $190,000 in storage costs, plus additional ancillary costs, broker fees and the cost of “pointless advertising in local newspapers” is being wasted.
However, the government said crewing costs would be incurred regardless of where the vessel was stored: “Crewing costs in Tasmania would be significantly higher due to differing domestic requirements, resulting in increased onboard crew numbers.”
Separately, the Tasmanian Government says it is progressing its landmark reforms to ensure Government-owned businesses “act in the best interests of Tasmanians”.
Treasurer Guy Barnett said 48 submissions were received from stakeholders in response to the Government Business Governance Reform – Draft Plan that has been out for consultation. In the interest of transparency, all submissions have been published on the Treasury website, with the exception of two submissions that requested confidentiality.
A key plank of the reforms is a proposed merger of TT Line, TasPorts and TasRail.
