Ken Kanofski appointed chair of TT-Line as state government seeks to regain control of Spirit of Tasmania project

There has been renewal at the board level for TT-Line as the state government attempts to regain control of the beleaguered replacement Spirit of Tasmania project.

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

A new chair and directors have been appointed to the TT-Line board as the state government attempts to get the replacement Spirit of Tasmania project back on track and ensure the vessels are operating in the state “as soon as possible”.

The government asked former chair Mike Grainger to resign in August after he appeared to challenge the Liberals’ own account of what had gone wrong with the Spirits project.

Bernard Dwyer resigned as CEO of the state-owned company late last year following the completion of his contract.

Ken Kanofski, who was formerly the CEO and COO of NSW Roads and Maritime, as well as the CEO of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation, has replaced interim TT-Line chair Damian Bugg KC, who will remain as a director.

Ken Kanofski is the new chair of TT-Line.

Mr Kanofski is also currently the chair of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, a director of the Western Sydney International Airport, and a commissioner of the NSW Independent Planning Commission.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz said an “extensive” recruitment process had been undertaken by Watermark Search International and the appointments to TT-Line’s board brought “particular expertise regarding the tourism market at a local and national level”.

“The incoming board will be vital in ensuring the new Spirit vessels are operating in Tasmanian waters as soon as possible,” he said.

“I congratulate Mr Kanofski on his appointment. In what is a terrific gain for Tasmania and TT-Line, Mr Kanofski is an outstanding infrastructure expert respected around the nation for his effective work.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz. Picture: Genevieve Holding.

“He also has a strong track record of delivery and has done so across a number of key organisations in New South Wales.

“Mr Kanofski’s strong credentials will be complemented by the wealth of experience gained by all new appointees to the TT-Line board – bringing a deep blend of tourism, maritime and infrastructure experience.”

The other new TT-Line directors include Rear Admiral (Retd) Steve Gilmore AM CSC, Jill Rossouw, Jane Bennett, Christopher Oldfield, and James Atkins.

Yvonne Rundle will continue in her role as a director of the board.

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

The replacement Spirits were originally supposed to be completed and brought to Tasmania by 2021 but this never eventuated.

Meanwhile, the cost of upgrading Berth 3 at Devonport to accommodate the new ships has ballooned by $285m and is not expected to be completed until February 2027.

The government is seeking to lease the new ships in the interim. The first of these, Spirit of Tasmania IV, was built in Finland and is currently berthed at Leith in Scotland at an average cost to Tasmanian taxpayers of $23,915 a week.