Labor says Tasmanians need to know if ferry delivery delayed

Two new Bass Strait ferries are due to hit the water in March next year, but so far there’s no confirmation from the Tasmanian Government that they are even under construction.

THE Tasmanian Government has poured cold water on speculation its two new Bass Strait ferries will not be delivered next year as promised.

But it has failed to confirm the ships are even under construction and surety they will begin sailing between Devonport and Melbourne in March, 2021 as announced.

Labor has accused the government of being “in hiding’ over the delivery schedule saying the financially troubled German shipbuilder it chose to deliver the two new Spirit of Tasmania ships was experiencing serious delays with its current projects.

The Tasmanian contract is worth about $357 million per vessel. Each ship will accommodate 1800 passengers and up to 600 vehicles.

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In February last year, TT-Line said it was in close discussions with Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft about its “difficult financial situation” and any potential impact on its contract to build the Tasmanian ferries.

No payments have yet been made to the ship builder..

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said Premier Will Hodgman and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson were “still desperately clinging to their previous statements that the vessels would be delivered next year but their promises look more unlikely as each day passes.”

“FSG is way behind schedule on other projects and we’re no closer to cutting steel on Tasmania’s new ships,” Dr Broad said.

“TT-Line said in GBE Estimates that the first vessel would be delivered in March next year..”

A government spokesman today said the government had “confidence in TT-line to deliver the new vessels.”

“The Government is advised that TT-Line is in regular communication with shipbuilder FSG regarding its contracts,” the spokesman said.

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Dr Broad said Tasmanian deserved to know when building of the new vessels would start and when they will be delivered so that tourism operators, businesses and exporters could plan their investments and passengers could look forward to more capacity.

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