Incat boss Robert Clifford calls for election parties to plug into electric ferry revolution

Robert Clifford has called on both major parties to commit “serious funding” to Incat’s new ferry-building facility, saying the $80m expansion could generate up to 3000 new jobs in Tasmania.

Robert Clifford, AO, inside Incat's shipyard for the construction of an electric ship at Derwent Park. Picture: Caroline Tan

Incat founder Robert Clifford has called on both major parties to commit “serious funding” to the company’s proposed new ferry-building facility in the Derwent Valley, saying the $80m clean-energy expansion program could generate up to 3000 new jobs in Tasmania.

Recently returned from the international Shippax conference at which the global maritime industry’s electric revolution was top of agenda– and less than a fortnight before Incat launches the world’s largest battery-powered vessel in Hobart – Mr Clifford said pre-election support was vital in expediting the project’s economic benefits to the region.

In March, Incat revealed it had purchased a cherry orchard on the River Derwent to site a new facility designed to help the company achieve its goal of producing four large battery-powered aluminium ships a year.

Mr Clifford said the 240 electric vessels currently under construction around the world were “a drop in the ocean” to what could be expected in coming years as the industry rapidly pivots from its fossil-fuel past.

“I’ve come back to the shipyard full of excitement and optimism about the electric future of shipbuilding,” Mr Clifford said.

“The industry is moving quickly toward clean, electric propulsion, and major operators are looking to Incat for the next generation of shipbuilding solutions.”

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Tasmania.

“As the world’s leading builder of lightweight ships, Incat is perfectly placed to lead the electric revolution in the ferry industry - but to realise this vision, we need support.”

Mr Clifford said he welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent $24 million funding commitment to help the Boyer paper mill - which was recently sold by long-term owner Norske Skog to Australian businessman David Marriner - achieve a low-emissions future through increased electrification.

Mr Marriner guaranteed no job losses as part of the takeover of the newsprint facility, which currently employs 310 people.

But Mr Clifford said the construction of a second shipyard on the opposite side of the river to the Boyer mill was not just about protecting existing jobs, but creating new ones on a massive scale.

Incat’s Expansion Plan, already submitted to both sides of federal politics, would enable the company to more than double production capacity, and anchor Tasmania as a centre of advanced, clean manufacturing, Mr Clifford said.

“I’d love to see the Prime Minister down here again in the next two weeks,” the Incat chairman said.

“If we had access to serious funding, and won’t name a number, but serious funding, we could be up and running with a new site within a year.

“We could be doubling up our production inside a year, and doubling it up again within two years.”

“But if we had to fund it ourselves, it might take 10 years, because obviously it’s going to come out of profit, sure.

“So employing 3000 people in two year or 10 years, it’s a big difference.”

In response to the Mr Clifford’s appeal, a Federal government spokesperson said only that the Prime Minister would “always listen” to anyone who supported the creation of more jobs in the state.

“Labor is listening to the Tasmanian community and we are acting to support jobs across the state, including in the Derwent Valley,” they said.

Liberal candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower, was similarly non-committal about direct financial support to the Tasmanian ferry builder.

“Incat is an important business and if elected I look forward to working closely with them to help realise their vision,” Ms Bower said.

Meanwhile, Tasmanian Labor Senator, Carol Brown, has called on the federal opposition to back the government’s commitment to the Boyer mill, saying the facility was the sole remaining Australian manufacturer of paper for publishers and commercial printers across the country.

“It also supports other regional jobs in forestry and freight, which highlights the importance it has for the local economy,” Sen Brown said.

“However, stunningly, the Liberals and their candidate for Lyons have still not come out in support of industry and jobs and matched Labor’s commitment.”

In response, Tasmanian Liberal Senator, Claire Chandler said: “It’s a bit rich for Labor to talk about electrifying Boyer when they have deliberately delayed a decision on the 1000MW Robbins Island renewable energy project in order to appease green voters in Sydney and Melbourne.”

Originally published as Incat boss Robert Clifford calls for election parties to plug into electric ferry revolution