Local tenderer announced as builder of new Bruny Island ferries

UPDATED: TWO new ferries to operate the Bruny Island ferry service will be built in Hobart, the SeaLink Travel Group has announced.

The first of two new vessels to ply the Bruny Island route will be built by Richardson Devine Marine in Tasmania. Picture: SUPPLIED

TWO new ferries to operate the Bruny Island ferry service will be built in Hobart, SeaLink Travel Group has announced.

The company on Monday said the ferries would be built in Tasmania by Richardson Devine Marine.

The first of the new vessels is expected to be in operation by December next year, with the second by 2021.

All development and maintenance work will also be carried out in Tasmania.

Sealink Travel Group general manager Paul Victory said RDM has beaten five other tenderers,

“It was a very competitive process. We went nationally on the tender process and we’re absolutely thrilled to end up back here in Tasmania,” he said.

Sealink Travel Group general manager Paul Victory, centre, with Rod Devine, left, and Toby Richardson at the announcement that Richardson Devine Marine will build the new ferries for the Bruny Island service. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Victory said the company had bought the MV Bowen to help service the route while the new boats were being built.

“It’s $12 million in new investment, plus the money for the Bowen. Overall it’s about $15 million investment,” he said.

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Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the announcement was good news for local industry.

“SeaLink has already built six vessels in Tasmania since 2013 and the contract with Richardson Devine Marine for the two new Bruny Island ferries is a vote of confidence in the local ship-building industry and a further boost for the Tasmanian economy,” Mr Rockliff said.

Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff at the Richardson Devine Marine shipyard in Goodwood. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Labor Infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said after creating a mess around an unwanted online booking system and capacity issues for the ferry service as well as uncertainty around jobs for ferry workers, the Government needed to provide a guarantee that the right vessels would be built.

“Any boost to local business is to be welcomed but given the Hodgman Liberal Government’s performance around this entire project, Mr Rockliff needs to assure locals that these vessels will meet the capacity the service requires,” Mr O’Byrne said.