Spirit IV is expected to leave Scotland in May and arrive back in Tasmania in July

Unable to lease the Spirit IV out, Eric Abetz told members of a parliamentary inquiry into the TT-Line saga when the ship is expected to leave Scotland and arrive in Tasmania.

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

Infrastructure Minister Eric Abetz has revealed that the Spirit of Tasmania IV is expected to leave Leith in Scotland in May and arrive back in the state in July, with the journey expected to cost around $4m.

That information was revealed during a parliamentary inquiry into the handling of the TT-Line Spirits project.

The newest Spirit is currently berthed in Scotland because the associated infrastructure at Devonport is not expected to be completed until early 2027, which means the ship cannot transport vehicles and passengers between Tasmania and Geelong.

The state government hoped it would be able to lease the Spirit IV in the interim, but negotiations proved unsuccessful, and the ship will instead return to Tasmania to dock.

Minister for Transport Eric Abetz. TT-Line Spirits Project inquiry. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

During the parliamentary inquiry on Friday, Mr Abetz was asked if Berth 3 at Devonport would be completed on time.

“That is a difficult question for me to answer at this stage,” he responded.

Mr Abetz also indicated that a review of the works in Devonport was being undertaken and would be ready by “the middle of next month.”

Labor Infrastructure Spokeswoman Anita Dow said she believed Mr Abetz’s answers from the parliamentary inquiry suggested that he had “all but confirmed that more delays are expected at the Berth 3 site.”

“It was less than 6 months ago that Jeremy Rockliff declared he was intervening in the fiasco and he would get it back on track,” Ms Dow said.

“Today, it’s looking on shakier ground than ever with Mr Abetz unable to rule out further blowouts to the timeline for Berth 3, while confirming the geotechnical assessment and design process isn’t even complete.

“The minister’s underwhelming performance was notable for the amount of information he didn’t know and demonstrated once again the Liberals do not have control of the project.

“Minister Abetz couldn’t provide any answers about whether specialist equipment needed for construction had arrived in Tasmania, whether or not the construction management was working well, and whether key machinery had been damaged and was out of action.”

Labor deputy leader Anita Dow. Question time in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Following the hearing, Mr Abetz accused Ms Dow and Labor of orchestrating a “fabricated and fake attack.”

“At today’s Public Accounts Committee hearing, I made it absolutely clear there is no change to the previously announced delivery timeframe for Berth 3 in Devonport, which is expected to be February 2027,” he said.

In fact, I said that the project could be delivered earlier. Perhaps Ms Dow should check the Hansard.”

Mr Abetz also provided more details about the ship’s trip from Leith during the hearing on Friday.

“It’ll take quite a while for her to be crewed and ready,” he said.

“And when she makes her trip out, they have to organise safe ports for refuelling – and I understand that you do that in consultation with the federal governments’ security services.

“Those sorts of matters are taken into account as well given what occurs sometimes off the coast of Africa.”

Mr Abetz said the current sailing timeline from Leith to Tasmania was a rough outline.

“The cost of brining her out is around $4m; so that is bunker fuel as I understand, crewing costs, etc.”

It is still unknown where specifically the Spirit IV will be docked once it arrives in Tasmania.

Regarding the Spirit V, Mr Abetz said its first sea trial is expected to occur in Finland on April 7.

“(With) Spirit V, it is intended to bring her out [to Tasmania] – and you never know in this game, you never say never – if somebody comes up and says we want to give you $100m for a one-month lease, I think we’d be duty bound to grab it.

“The chances of it, I would say, are exceptionally minimal – but we never say never.”

Meanwhile, Chris Carbone has been named as the new CEO for TT-Line – coming from his position as President of Resources and Industrials at Toll Group.

He also formerly worked as the head of finance and general manager of the supply chain for Coles, as well as other positions within Toll and Linfox.

Originally published as Spirit IV is expected to leave Scotland in May and arrive back in Tasmania in July