New Spirit of Tasmania vessel delay slowing business growth, Labor says

Businesses having invested big to capitalise on new Spirit capacity promised for this summer are suffering a ‘nightmare’ situation, Labor says. Here’s how it’s impacting one business.

Wrasse fisherman Jacob Chambers and Labor leader MP Dean Winter speak to the media at Lindisfarne on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

A shortage of space on the existing Spirit of Tasmania ferries is preventing local business from expanding, Labor says.

Opposition leader Dean Winter said Hobart fisherman Jacob Chambers was typical of those who were being affected by the capacity limits and the delays to the replacement vessels.

Fisherman Jacob Chambers.

Mr Chambers said he had been unable to book a spot on the ferries to shift tanks of live wrasse to the mainland.

“It’s a nightmare at the moment,” he said.

“I can’t get on until January, and can’t get a return in January at the moment.

“In the last two months, I think I’ve done one trip.

“If I sell them in Tasmania, it’s a lot lower price, and I’ve got lots of overhead, so I’ve got to get the top dollar for them.

“There’s no point catching the fish, because you can’t sell the fish, because you can’t take them to the mainland.

“If I can’t sell them, or just might as well close up, what’s the point?”

Mr Winter said Mr Chambers problems highlighted the ripple effect that the delays to the new, larger ferries was having across the broader Tasmanian economy.

“Businesses across Tasmania have been told right up until August this year that the new ships were going to be here this summer, and that’s why they were investing,” he said.

New Spirit of Tasmania IV naming and launching ceremony in Finland. Picture: Janika Heikkonen

“While they’re investing the Spirit of Tasmania and Jeremy Rockliff let them down. “Businesses like this one now need the Tasmanian Government and TT-Line to move heaven and earth to get more day sailings across Bass Strait.

Mr Rockliff accused the Opposition of “playing politics”.

“Bookings for 20 additional sailings have been open since Wednesday, on top of the additional 138 sailings already in the system for the peak season,” he said.

“We will continue to back not only our tourism industry, but our farmers, fruit growers and other primary industry partners and work with them to deliver the services they need.”