The first of two replacement ships for the Spirits of Tasmania will be officially handed over to TT-Line in Finland on Thursday, at ceremony at Rauma Marine Constructions, where Spirits of Tasmania 4 and 5 are being built.
Spirit of Tasmania 4 will undergo further sea trials in Finland before sailing to Australia.
Due to tensions in the Middle East, the ship won’t go via the Suez Canal and will sail around Africa to Fremantle in Western Australia, and from there to Hobart, where more internal fit-out work will continue for up to eight weeks, during which time crew training will also be undertaken.
Spirit of Tasmania 5 is due for delivery some time next year.
However, there’s still uncertainty around whether or not Spirit 4 will be able to go into service as soon as it’s ready, due to delays in required port infrastructure works in Devonport and interim modifications at the existing Spirit of Tasmania berth.
Meanwhile, Premier Jeremy Rockliff will give evidence to a public accounts committee hearing into the delays, being chaired by Murchison Independent MLC Ruth Forrest, when it resumes on September 27.
