Spirit of Tasmania ferries: Incat challenges claims Austal’s build plan would lead to Aussie jobs

A proposal from an Australian ship builder vying for the contract on the two new Bass Strait ferries has been slammed by opponents, who say the majority of the work will be done offshore.

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A LEADING Tasmanian shipbuilder has questioned claims an interstate company could create thousands of jobs if the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels were built in Australia.

This comes as a state government task force was launched on August 12 to look into local procurement, purchasing and manufacturing options for the new vessels to support Tasmanian and Australian businesses.

Global shipbuilding giants Austal announced a proposal to build the two new Spirits, with CEO David Singleton saying the West Australian-based company intended to present an option that would deliver certainty and value to the state’s taxpayers, freight customers and ­travellers.

Mr Singleton said the company’s plan would include building the vessel’s structure in southeast Asia, but much of the remaining work would be completed in Australia.

“We absolutely recognise that this is a program being paid for by the Tasmanian government, so the first objective in terms of employment is to create as much employment in Tasmania as we possibly can,” he said.

Austal’s ship building plant in Western Australia. Picture: COLIN MURTY

“We believe that a split-build vessel construction program can see over half the labour content of each vessel built here in Australia and particularly in Tasmania, potentially creating thousands of jobs.”

However, both Incat CEO Tim Burnell and Opposition infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said the majority of work would likely not be undertaken in Australia.

Mr Burnell said choosing Austal would not be the “best-case scenario” for Tasmanians.

“This decision will not see the benefits that people are thinking,” he said.

“If it’s something for Tasmania, ideally it should be built for Tasmania by Tasmanians.

“Incat believes the best-case scenario is to build a suitable fast ferry that complements the existing vessels.” Mr Burnell said Incat could not claim to give TT-Line what they had now, but they could give them additional capacity.

“We absolutely believe our fast ferries are suitable,” Mr Burnell said.

Mr Broad said Austal’s proposal would need careful scrutiny, and Incat’s catamarans might not be suitable for the Bass Strait crossing.