Liberal senator backs Tassie shipbuilder for Spirit of Tasmania opportunity

A Tasmanian senator is calling for an Incat catamaran to be added to the Spirit of Tasmania route to complement the two existing vessels.

• WA ship builder not ‘best case scenario’ for new Spirits
• Maritime group speaks out on Spirit of Tasmania build proposals
• How new Spirit vessels could be 100 per cent Tasmanian

A SENATOR has put her support behind a Tasmanian shipbuilder tackling the Spirit of Tasmania build.

A state government task force was created earlier this month to identify local procurement, purchasing, and manufacturing options for the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Claire Chandler said the state was home to one of the world’s most innovative boatbuilders — Incat.

“To have thousands of Tasmanians working for the next two years on a vessel built on the Derwent River and with components manufactured across the state is exactly the type of local manufacturing outcome we need right now,” she said.

The Spirit of Tasmania

“One option available ... is to keep the two existing Spirits, which are still perfectly functional and will be until at least 2028, and add a Tasmanian-built Incat catamaran to the route.”

Incat CEO Tim Burnell previously floated the idea, saying their fast ferries would be suitable to compliment the existing Spirit vessels.

“Thousands of Tasmanian jobs in the next 24 months when we need them most — tick. Increased choice for passengers crossing Bass Strait — tick. More capacity for both passengers and vehicles — tick,” Ms Chandler said.

The vessels will approach the end of their optimal lifespan in 2028.

Follow @kaseywilkins95