Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry enters second month of storage at Leith, Scotland

The Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry will remain docked at a port in Scotland for at least another month. The state-owned operator, TT-Line, has not yet found a lessee for the vessel. This situation arises as the ferry, built in Finland, cannot operate on the Devonport-to-Geelong route until necessary infrastructure is completed in Devonport. Currently, the ferry is stationed at Leith port in Edinburgh, where it was moved a month ago.

Ongoing Leasing Efforts and Costs

TT-Line has been actively seeking options to lease or charter the Spirit IV to a third party. The state government released an update on the ferry replacement project, stating that TT-Line is working with a specialist broker to explore leasing opportunities. The ferry will remain in Leith while these efforts continue. TT-Line has extended its lease for another 30 days at an average weekly cost of $23,915, which is significantly lower than the previous rate of $47,534 per week.

The government believes that keeping the ferry in Scotland increases its chances of being leased while the port infrastructure is developed. The estimated completion date for the necessary infrastructure in Devonport is 2027. Meanwhile, the opposition party has criticized the decision to store the ferry in Scotland, arguing that it should be relocated to Tasmania. Labor MLC Luke Edmunds has suggested Hobart or other Tasmanian ports as suitable storage locations, emphasizing the high costs associated with keeping the vessel in Scotland, which amounts to approximately $600,000 per month.

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Future Plans and Expert Advice

TT-Line appointed the European ship broker Clarksons in late December to assist in finding a lessee for the Spirit IV. The interim chair of TT-Line, Damian Bugg, informed parliament that the initial broker indicated a low likelihood of leasing the ferry. Consequently, TT-Line sought additional options through Clarksons. The advice from Clarksons is expected to be delivered to the government by the end of January.

If no viable leasing options are identified, Bugg has indicated that the Spirit IV may be brought back to Tasmania. The ongoing costs of maintaining the ferry in Scotland include crew expenses, which are estimated at $380,000, along with $190,000 in storage fees and other ancillary costs. The government has stated that crewing costs would be incurred regardless of the ferry’s location, but they also noted that these costs would be higher in Tasmania due to differing domestic requirements. As the situation develops, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the leasing efforts and the future of the Spirit of Tasmania IV.