A leading shipping figure has suggested the Government delay introducing the replacement Spirit of Tasmania ships until the port infrastructure in Devonport is completed.
Searoad managing director Chas Kelly says it’s risky and expensive to modify the current berth.
A new dedicated berth at East No 3 won’t be ready when the first ship arrives, with modifications to the current Spirit berth required to receive the new vessels.
Spirit of Tasmania’s berth, East No.1 is adjacent to Searoad’s berth, East No. 2, used by Searoad Mersey and the Leikut.
However, the new Spirits will be eight metres longer, which Mr Kelly says could compromise safety.
Mr Kelly says there’s no advantage to modifying the No 1 berth.
He says instead of spending money on modifications it should be used to expedite the project on the new Spirit-dedicated No. 3 berth.
Mr Kelly says as the new ships won’t be able to operate at full capacity at No. 1 berth, there’s no advantage to bringing them in before the work at the new berth is finished.
He says it would be a far cheaper option to leave the new ships in Singapore or Europe until the new berth is available for use.
Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Accounts Committee hearing into delays with the ships and port infrastructure, being chaired by Murchison Independent MLC Ruth Forest, will resume on September 9th.
