Rauma Marine Constructions has started the construction of the first of two ropax ferries ordered by the Australian company Spirit of Tasmania.
The vessels will operate an extremely challenging open sea route between mainland Australia and Tasmania.
The start of construction was celebrated in Rauma on February, 28, in a traditional steel cutting ceremony.
The route the vessels are set to operate will be the world’s southernmost ferry route powered by LNG.
The replacements for the TT-Line ‘Spirit of Tasmania’ ropax ferries will be built overseas, which was the original plan (first in Flensburg, then in Rauma)
The decision comes seven months after establishing a taskforce to investigate whether the new ferries could be built in Australia.
The taskforce investigated three options:
Option 1: A shipbuilder is selected to build two large steel monohull ferries where some construction is in Australia and involves businesses in Tasmania
The Taskforce received submissions from Austal and Serco.
Option 2: Allow for an assessment of the viability of very large aluminium multihull vessels with the intention of commissioning at least two vessels if they prove viable.
Incat proposed the construction of two 180 metre catamarans.
Option 3: A shipbuilder is selected to build and supply two steel monohull vessels constructed overseas.
Under this option, TT-Line would commence a new tender process, or finalise its contract with Rauma Marine Construction.
In its Annual Report 2019/20, TT-Line Company Pty Ltd’s reported total revenue of AUS $270.7 million and an after-tax profit of $32.4 million.
Chairman Michael Grainger said the Company’s performance was adversely impacted by the pandemic.
“The freight volumes carried by the Company for the year were the highest on record, due in part to the increased availability of lane metres on board the ships because of lower passenger requirements.”
Passengers entering Tasmania will be required to quarantine for 14 days. This applies to all departures on/after midnight Friday 20 March, says TT Line.
TT-Line Company Pty Ltd, operators of Spirit of Tasmania, will order two brand new purpose-built ships to replace the current fleet by 2021.
These two new ships will have a substantially larger capacity:
The order will be placed in the first half of next year. So far the yard has not been chosen yet.
TT-Line Company Pty Ltd, operators of Spirit of Tasmania, will order two brand new purpose-built ships to replace the current fleet by 2021. This was announced at a press conference today.
These two new ships will have substantially larger capacity for passengers (from 1,400 to 2,000 pax), passenger vehicles (from 1,000 to 1,714 lane meter) and freight (from 1,800 to 2,500 lane meter).
Chairman Mike Grainger said, “we are going to the best builders of ro-paxes in the world, and the best will be awarded the contract.” The order will be placed next year.
Mr Grainger said the company looked at capacity, customer expectations, operating speed, sea-keeping properties for Bass Strait, capital and operating costs and operational efficiency. No Government cash will be needed.
Built for Superfast Ferries in 1998, the ships in the current fleet underwent a major refurbishment in 2015 and will continue operating until the new vessels are delivered.
