New Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry foced to move from Finland as winter closes in

The new Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry – the first of two being built in Finland – has been forced to move as winter closes in. Here’s why >>

The approaching northern hemisphere winter has forced the relocation of the Spirit of Tasmania IV from Rauma in Finland to Leith in Scotland.

“With ice pack conditions expected towards the end of November, there are potential operational risks for Spirit of Tasmania IV,” Spirit of Tasmania MD and CEO Bernard Dwyer said.

Spirit of Tasmanian IV is on the move from Finland to Scotland. Picture: Spirit of Tasmania

“To ensure the vessel’s safety and preservation, we will temporarily relocate it to Leith, Scotland, where conditions are more suitable.

“This move is necessary, as the vessel is not designed for the extremely low ambient temperatures anticipated in Rauma.”

An aerial view shows men waiting near holes drilled into the frozen sea as they ice fish on the Gulf of Bothnia, near Vaasa, Western Finland where winter daylight lasts for about four hours. Picture: AFP

Mr Dwyer said construction of Spirit of Tasmania V remained unaffected by the developing ice conditions and would continue as planned.

“We are actively co-ordinating to organise crew arrangements for Spirit of Tasmania IV’s temporary relocation,” he said.

“Meanwhile, TT-Line continues to explore opportunities to lease or charter the vessel.”

Leith, the main port of Edinburgh, is about 5 degrees in latitude further south than the Finnish port and has an average low temperature of between 3C and 1C through the winter months while Rauma, which is about 4 degrees of latitude outside the Arctic Circle, has average lows of 0C to -8C from November to February.

Originally published as New Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry foced to move from Finland as winter closes in