TT-Line negotiating with ‘interested party’ regarding Spirit of Tasmania IV lease

The new Spirit of Tasmania IV, which is currently berthed in Scotland, may remain there for up to an additional month at a cost of more than $23,000 a week to taxpayers.

Spirit of Tasmania IV docked in Leith, Scotland. Picture: Tyson Scott

The first of the two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries may not be leased out until the end of February as the ship continues to berth in Scotland at an average cost of more than $23,000 a week to taxpayers.

In a statement released by the Rockliff government on Friday, it was confirmed that TT-Line had “received [a lease] offer from a party” and was “considering a number of other proposals from interested parties”.

“TT-Line have now entered live commercial negotiations and will move to finalise terms and conditions prior to a decision being made,” the statement said.

Spirit of Tasmania IV docked in Leith, Scotland. Picture: Tyson Scott

“TT-Line therefore require further time to complete these negotiations by the end of February.”

The replacement Spirits were originally supposed to be completed and brought to Tasmania by 2021 but this never occurred.

The cost of upgrading Berth 3 at Devonport to accommodate the new ships has ballooned by $285m and is not expected to be completed until February 2027.

Spirit of Tasmania IV, which was built in Finland, is currently berthed at Leith in Scotland at an average cost of $23,915 a week to Tasmanian taxpayers.

Labor has called on the government to bring the new ships back to Tasmania but the Liberals say crewing costs here would be “significantly higher” due to “differing domestic requirements, resulting in increased on-board crew numbers”.

Ancillary costs for the berthing of Spirit IV at Leith totalled $250,106 in the month of December, including one-off costs for initial entry into the berth.

“Estimated monthly spend for ancillary costs subsequent to this is approximately $30,000,” a government spokesperson said.

Labor's Josh Willie speaks to the media,

Labor Treasury spokesman Josh Willie said it was a “complete joke” for the government to “keep hiding Spirit IV in Scotland”.

“It’s time to bring the Spirits home to Tasmania where they belong, they’ll be safe, we can complete the local fit-out and get them ready for service,” he said.

Originally published as TT-Line negotiating with ‘interested party’ regarding Spirit of Tasmania IV lease