REVEALED: When Spirit of Tasmania berth at Devonport will be ready

More details have emerged into the timeline for the berths for the new Bass Strait ferries, but the TT-Line boss remained coy on costs in a parliamentary committee.

Ken Kanofski Chair TT-Line. Inquiry into the TT-Line Spirits Project. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The berths for the new Bass Strait ferries will be ready within two years, TT-Line chair Ken Kanofski has told a parliamentary committee.

Senior executives from the government-owned ferry operator appeared before state

parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Thursday.

With one of the ferries complete and the second on the way, the failure to have berths ready in Devonport has been a major embarrassment for the Liberal minority government.

The new chairman said he was focused on getting the berths finished and the new ferries in operation as soon a possible.

“The board of TT-Line is committed to the following objectives with regard to berth three in Devonport: opening no later than February 2027 and if possible before October 2026 to take advantage of using the new vessels for the 2026/27 high season, delivering a fit for purpose and high-quality terminal and berth at the lowest possible cost, realising the economic benefits to the state of the new vessels and restoring the Tasmanian community’s faith in the company,” he said.

Kym Sayers acting CEO TT-Line Company. Inquiry into the TT-Line Spirits Project. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Kanofski said he would not be giving the committee an estimate of total costs for the ships and berths at this stage.

TT-Line currently has a borrowing limit of $990m from state-owned financier TasCorp, whose chief on Wednesday said a government equity top-up might be needed.

“I understand that there is substantial interest in the time and cost estimates for this project. We will not be providing details today,” Mr Kanofski told the committee.

“We do not have a properly tested and authorised estimate. To release cost and time is never guaranteed at any stage of an infrastructure project and is not useful to release updated information every time something positive or negative happens.”

Labor leader Dean Winter said he was concerned about potential cost blowouts.

“TT-Line Chair Ken Kanofski also confirmed the beleaguered berth three development is under ‘cost pressure’, which is code for likely blowouts,” he said.

“Meanwhile, TT-Line’s finances continue to deteriorate because of the Rockliff Government’s incompetence and the company is sailing closer to a taxpayer-funded bailout from a government already on a path to nearly $10bln in debt.”

Josh Willie Labor member for Clark. Inquiry into the TT-Line Spirits Project. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Liberal Minister Jo Palmer said the government was working with the ferry line to get the project up and running.

“We know what it means for the state. We know what it means for our tourism industry,” she said.

“TT-Line is now really looking at how can they rework the timelines around when we could possibly see berth three delivered and that is really exciting.

“And we are delighted that TT-Line has absolutely got that can do attitude to see the Spirits up and running as soon as possible.”