State-owned ferry operator TT-Line has been forced to scrap plans to dock Spirit of Tasmania IV at a berth in Point Henry in Geelong after a safety assessment found it was not strong enough.
The newly constructed Spirit of Tasmania IV was going to be stored there temporarily after leaving Hobart.
Spirit IV, which has been getting its final fit-out over the past two months, has been moored at Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf.
The wharf is used by many cruise ships that visit over the summer, meaning it cannot stay there.
The new ships can carry more people and freight than the old vessels. (ABC News: Loretta Lohberger)
While it was originally set to be temporarily stationed at Point Henry at the Port of Geelong, TT-Line has confirmed “a mooring safety assessment indicated that the berth required infrastructure works”.
Instead, it will need to be moved between different berths at the Port of Geelong.
“As there is no viable option in Tasmania, the vessel will be temporarily stored at the Port of Geelong at a combination of Spirit’s existing terminal, at anchor and at a nearby berth,” a TT-Line spokesperson said.
The government explored leasing opportunities to recoup some costs, but in the end the ship came to Hobart. (Supplied: Andy Marriott)
The ABC understands that a recent safety assessment found the berth would need two additional bollards for the ship to berth there, at a cost of $2 million.
The ship was due to leave Hobart for Geelong on Saturday morning.
Spirit IV will be stored at the Port of Geelong until it can enter service, which is expected to be in late 2026.
TT-Line has previously said that even at anchor, it was cheaper to keep the ship in Geelong than Hobart, because of crewing requirements.
Geelong requires a 12-person crew on board, while in Hobart it is required to have a 22-person crew.
Project plagued by delays, cost overruns
The Spirit of Tasmania replacement project has been plagued by cost overruns, delays and infrastructure stuff-ups.
First, the construction of the ships themselves was delayed as the Tasmanian government sought to find a local builder, and then the building of their home berth at Devonport was behind schedule.
Last month, it was revealed that both new Spirit of Tasmania vessels would need to meet new hull specifications due to issues with fenders at the wharf in Devonport.
There was also interest in Spirit IV as a ferry between France and Algeria and for services between Greece and Italy, documents reveal. (ABC News: Julian Robins)
Spirit V also headed to storage
Meanwhile, the ABC understands sister ship Spirit V will travel from Finland to Scotland in late November, where it will be stored for about six months as a more affordable option than bringing it to Australia.
Documents lift lid on Spirit ferry lease options and final costs
The ship must leave the shipbuilding yard in Finland before icy conditions set in over the northern hemisphere winter.
The ABC understands the Scottish port of Leith will once again play host to a Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
“The ship is expected to stay in Europe until after the Tasmanian cruise ship season,” a TT-Line spokesperson said.
“European berths are less expensive than any Australian option.
“The number of crew required is nine, much less than what is required in Australia, and assists TT-Line with crew management.”
Spirit of Tasmania V stayed in Leith at a cost of about $800,000 a month.
Spirit V is expected to head to Australia in the first half of next year and will initially make port in Hobart, where it will receive its final fit-out.
