A brand-new Australian ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania IV, is causing quite the commotion as leasing negotiations have fallen apart, leading to its relocation from Edinburgh to Devonport in Tasmania. The ferry has been sitting idle in Leith for three months due to existing infrastructure issues in Devonport, prompting the Tasmanian government to intervene and order the operator, TT-Line, to move the vessel to its intended destination on the island.
Built at a Finnish shipyard, the Spirit of Tasmania IV had to be transported to Scotland before winter to avoid potential damage from pack ice. However, delays in constructing a suitable berth in Devonport for both it and its sister vessel, the Spirit of Tasmania V, mean that the move may not happen until late 2026 or 2027. The whole situation has stirred up a heated political debate in Australia, similar to Scotland’s own ferry dilemmas.
Initially intended to operate in the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Victoria, the ferry was touted as a game-changer for Tasmania’s tourism industry. However, construction setbacks, cost escalations, and berth upgrading problems have marred its progress. Amidst the turmoil, Tasmania’s infrastructure minister and the chairman of TT-Line resigned in August. The total cost of building the LNG dual-fuel ships has surged by A$94m (£47.5m) from the original A$850m (£430m) contract signed in 2021, highlighting the financial strain the project has incurred.
Despite reports suggesting the ferry might be utilized to house Ukrainian refugees in Scotland, the Scottish government swiftly dismissed such claims. Tasmanian officials are facing criticism for what is being labeled as the “biggest infrastructure stuff-up” in the state’s history. Tasmanian Labor, the opposition party, while acknowledging the government’s recent change of direction, believes it comes far too late and at a significant cost to taxpayers. The ongoing saga of the Spirit of Tasmania IV represents a cautionary tale of the challenges that can arise in complex infrastructure projects, with far-reaching consequences
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