The Spirit of Tasmania IV, a newly-constructed Australian ferry, has been at the center of controversy due to issues with existing infrastructure in Devonport. The dispute has sparked a huge political row in Australia, with transport minister Eric Abetz defending the government’s actions.
The Spirit of Tasmania IV, a newly-constructed Australian ferry, has been docked in Leith for three months due to issues with existing infrastructure in the Tasmanian city of Devonport. The vessel was built at a yard in Finland and had to be moved to Scotland before winter over concerns it could be damaged by pack ice.
Tasmania's infrastructure has been a focus for the Tasmanian Government, with investments in transportation, energy, and communication networks.
The Tasmanian Government has committed to upgrading the island's road network, including the construction of new highways and bridges.
The 'Bass Highway upgrade is one example, which will improve connectivity between Launceston and Devonport.' is one example, which will improve connectivity between Launceston and Devonport.
Additionally, Tasmania is investing in renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The saga has sparked a huge political row in Australia, with Tasmania’s transport minister Eric Abetz defending the government’s actions. He stated that they had done all they could to secure a lease that would benefit Tasmanians and that it was economically irresponsible not to explore this opportunity.
The ferry has seen a series of delays in its construction, skyrocketing costs, and problems upgrading the current berths. The cost of building the two LNG dual-fuel ships has risen by A$94m (£47.5m) from A$850m (£430m) when the contract was signed in 2021. Meanwhile, the cost of upgrading current infrastructure in Devonport has more than quadrupled from an original estimate of A$90m (£45.5m).
The Spirit of Tasmania IV is a Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) ferry built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft in Germany.
The construction cost of the vessel was approximately €120 million.
This figure includes the design, engineering, and building costs.
The Spirit of Tasmania IV has a gross tonnage of 15,500 tons and can carry up to 1,400 passengers and 600 cars.
It is powered by two diesel engines producing 24,000 kW of power.
Tasmania’s infrastructure minister, Michael Ferguson, and the chairman of ferry operator TT-Line, which is state-owned, resigned due to the controversy in August. Tasmanian Labor, the opposition party, welcomed the ‘backflip’ from the government but said it came four months and millions of dollars too late.
A new berth to accommodate the ship, and sister vessel Spirit of Tasmania V, may not be ready until late 2026 or 2027. The Tasmanian government has now ordered the ferry operator to relocate the 212m-long (695ft) vessel to the island.
The Tasmanian government has implemented various policies and initiatives to drive economic growth, protect the environment, and improve public services.
Key actions include investing in renewable energy projects, developing tourism infrastructure, and increasing funding for education and healthcare.
Additionally, the government has introduced measures to address climate change, such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable land use practices.
According to a recent report, Tasmania's economy grew by 3.5% in 2022, outpacing national averages.
