Spirit of Tasmania I departed Station pier this morning (Sunday 20/9/20) and headed west for Geelong. at approx 12:30pm she tied up alongside her future berth.
Spirit of Tasmania I berthed at Corio Quay Geelong for the first time Photo: David Stubbs
TT-Line announced in April this year that they would no longer be docking at Station Pier for 2022 and instead would move to Geelong. This is maily due to what has been described as price gouging from Vic Ports. Geelong port was privatized back in 1996. Its owned by SAS Trustee Corporation (STC) and Brookfield’s LINX Cargo Care Group, with 50% ownership by each party at a unit trust and operator level.
Spirit I Alongside at Corio Quay Photo: Robert GageDrawing of the new terminal. TT-Line
Geelong port will construct the new terminal over the next two years. It must also be noted that with the new builds cancelled, its going to be hard to design the link spans, when no one knows what ship will be docking here once the currant Spirit are gone.
Western Australian ship builder Austal has submitted a proposal the the Tasmania ferry replacement task force, stating they would build the hulls of the steel mono hull vessels in the Philippines and bring them to Australia to finish the fitting out. Although the full details are unknown of how all this would take place.
“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,” Austal chief executive David Singleton said.
“Australia is currently unable to construct large steel monohulls, and the TT-Line vessel replacement process offers an opportunity to change that.”
State Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said it appeared Austal’s proposal would see the majority of the work done in the Philippines rather than Australia.
“The problem that we’ve got is that the boatyard in the Philippines has never built vessels of this size or this type,” he said. “[The government has] taken all the evidence TT-Line has put in front of them, they’ve dismissed that and we’re going down a road now where companies are throwing up proposals,” he said.
In 2018, the government awarded a $700 million contract to German shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaf to construct the vessels, after the company was endorsed by the TT-Line board over other shortlisted shipbuilders.
But after FSG encountered financial trouble, the government cancelled the contract and signed a memorandum of understanding with Rauma Marine Constructions, a Finnish company. However, in February, this was mixed, too, with the government establishing a taskforce to examine opportunities to build the ships in Australia.
Bob Clifford.
Incat chief executive Bob Clifford said Austal was entitled to put forward its proposal but added that it didn’t “stack up” and wouldn’t be able to create the same number of jobs as his company’s proposal.
“I can assure you that we’ll be putting ideas forward to the taskforce that won’t be employing 3000 people in the Philippines,” Mr Clifford said. “It’ll be employing 2000, at least, in Tasmania. We feel very confident that we can offer a deal to the taskforce that’ll take some beating.”
Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said Austal’s interest in building the new Spirits “vindicates” the government’s establishment of a taskforce.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of Austal’s proposal at this time,” Mr Ferguson said.
“In principle, we welcome the new interest of Austal as an Australian manufacturer and look forward to receiving advice from the taskforce on all of the potential options that are available to us in due course.”
The proposal has been slammed by the Tasmanian opposition.
Shane Broad Shadow Minister for Infrastructure said:
:Creating jobs in the Philippines and WA, not Tasmania :Industry set to suffer due to replacement delays :Government needs to listen to TT-Line
“The proposal by Western Australian company Austal to build the new Spirit of Tasmania replacement vessels in the Philippines won’t give the benefit to Tasmania the government has been promising.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shane Broad said the proposal raises significant questions about whether any additional Tasmanian jobs will be created.
“The government talked about its desire to create more Tasmanian jobs when it cancelled the most recent contract to replace the Spirit vessels, but this proposal falls flat.
“Austal is proposing to use a shipyard in the Philippines that has never built vessels of the size and design we need, and completing the fitout in Western Australia using some Tasmanian companies and products.
“Using Tasmanian products during the fitout was part of previous contracts with the German and Finnish shipyards, so nothing has changed.
“Where are the new Tasmanian jobs the government is promising to deliver, and how much more is this going to cost taxpayers?
“We are seeing Tasmanian jobs at risk due to the constant delays with replacing the Spirit vessels, in industries like tourism, aquaculture and agriculture – ones that can’t afford to lose more jobs waiting until at least 2028 to see the vessels operating.
“Austal put a proposal forward to TT-Line previously, but it didn’t even make the shortlist.
“The government has a long history of missing the mark when it comes to infrastructure. It and its taskforce needs to listen to TT-Line if it is to create the jobs Tasmanian’s desperately need.””
These are all valid points, and any one who know a little about Ro/Pax building knows that many yards have tried, but it has killed them, even after years of experience (HDW Keil comes to mind after 6 Superfast builds)
Spirit of Tasmania II in the Neorion floating dock in Syros
Spirit of Tasmania II was originally scheduled for dry dock on 16 August and was due to return to service on 5 September. Due to a number of contributing factors, TT-Line has decided to delay this year’s dry dock until July 2021.
The vessel must be dry docked by August 2021 to meet AMSA rgulations. TT-Line say that with an increased number of lay days during recent months, the Crew has been achieving great outcomes in terms of ongoing and additional maintenance.
TT-Line also say that there was a risk of the dry dock running over time with COVID-19 still around in NSW. TT-Line want to focus on the freight service with plenty of freght still being carried, especially due to recent snow in Tasmania which has caused damage to some cool room stores. This means freight demand will be up for produce to ensure that Tasmania does not suffer any shortages.
TT-Line have announced they have cancelled the MoU with finish ship builder Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (RMC).
Some snippets from Tasmania media and TT-line:
“The reasons given are focused around the effects of Covid19. Chairman Michael Grainger said the government indicated that, given current and emerging economic problems caused by COVID-19, there needed to be more consideration of local content and manufacturing jobs in Tasmania and Australia as part of the overall vessel replacement project.”
Given the impact of COVID-19, Premier Peter Gutwein said government wanted to “make decisions that present the greatest opportunity for our local and Australian manufacturers”.
TT-Line chair Mike Grainger said the state-owned company had made a recommendation to the government to proceed with a build in Finland.
A taskforce will be established to identify local procurement, purchasing and manufacturing options, and will include representation from Treasury, State Growth, TT-Line and a representative of the federal government.
RMC said “We are always ready to continue the negotiations with TT-Line Company when the shipbuilding project is topical again”
Whilst it sounds noble of the Government to explore local options to build the vessels, Australia no longer has an industry capable of building such vessels. Before the order was placed with FSG back in 2017 local options were explored in depth. Incat have been asked to join the vessel replacement task force, but I do wonder what they can bring to the table, they are a high speed aluminum catamaran specialist, they don’t have a yard capable of building the required vessels and their expertise is very niche. Incat were invited to complete the renovations to the Spirits, but declined because they aren’t set up for such work.
There is a high risk that Tasmania will end up with inferior vessels at a high price due to politics. Lets not forget TT-Line looked at Chinese yards, but turned them down due to the fact they couldn’t deliver by the required time. The FSG deal fell through because they couldn’t deliver on time, now Tasmania is throwing the RMC deal away because of Covid. There is no guarantee that the slot at RMC will be available once TT-Line are ready to order again.
A similar situation has happened with Calmac, a Sottish state owned ferry operator where they placed an order for the ferry, the Glen Sannox at a local sottish yard, but the build is years late and way over budget. I believe in the end they will need to turn to Europe or Asia , at high cost and later delivery.
TT-Line have today announced they will move to Geelong in 2022 when their current lease on Station pier ends. The move will mean passengers will encounter a modern terminal, hopefully comparable to what we would find in Europe. It will add an extra hour to the voyage, but they maybe that can compensated by a higher sailing speed when possible. It also raises the question of what speed will be specified on the new ships. It is claimed turn around times will be significantly reduced with the new terminal and the 3 tear deck loading on the new ships. Another point is the channel into Geelong, it can only be transited in one direction at a time with deep draft vessels unable to pass. Perhaps there will be an allocated window to TT-lines ferries?
New dockNew dockThe trip to the new port from the current terminal Ariel view of new port.
Spirit of Tasmania to move Victorian operations from Port Melbourne to Geelong
The Spirit of Tasmania ferry service has announced it will move its Victorian port from Station Pier in Port Melbourne, to Corio Quay, north of Geelong.
Key points:
Spirit of Tasmania ferry operator TT-Line says it has negotiated a 30-year deal with Geelong Ports to dock at Corio Quay
It comes after Tasmania’s Premier accused the Victorian Ports Corporation of “price gouging”
The move will take place before TT-Line’s lease at Station Pier in Port Melbourne expires in 2022
The Spirit’s operator, TT-Line, said the new 12 hectare site would include a passenger terminal building, vehicle marshalling for 600 cars, more efficient passenger vehicle check in, security facilities, public amenities, food and beverage outlet, children’s play area and a pet exercise area.
The company began operating in 1985 and between the two ferries it conducts about 800 sailings per year.
TT-Line Chairman Mike Grainger said the “move to Geelong provided the company with a unique opportunity to enhance the passenger experience”.
“[It will] provide room to expand our freight offering in line with the demand for many years to come,” he said.
“Our operations are often negatively impacted by significant congestion in the greater Port of Melbourne area, particularly when cruise ships are in port.
“That in turn causes delays in loading and discharge of passengers.”
The Corio Quay port base is about 70 kilometres south-west of Port Melbourne, roughly an hour’s drive from the capital city.
New journey won’t be longer: TT-Line
He said passenger feedback had been key in making the decision.
“Independent research of our passengers identified three key elements that support a move to Geelong,” he said.
“A location that was easy to get to, ease of check in procedures and a lack of traffic getting to and from the terminal.
“The Corio Quay solution addresses those three areas and alleviates all of the current operational constraints that exists at Station Pier.”
The changed journey is not expected to add any time to the trip and the company said it was anticipating “time savings” due to greater efficiencies at the new port.
Mr Grainger also said a new port base at Geelong was expected to “lead to increased passenger growth” that would benefit Tasmania’s tourism industry.
‘Better facility’ at ‘less cost’: Tasmanian Government
Transport Minister Michael Ferguson praised the move, calling it “a great decision”.
“It future-proofs the service over coming decades, sets up the state for the next 50 years, but it also allows for an increase in freight movements across Bass Strait for our primary producers,” he said.
“Our current site is space-constrained, there’s minimal freight-holding areas, and there are massive traffic congestion issues affecting the ability for tourists to board the vessels.”
Mr Ferguson played down suggestions tourists to Victoria may be inconvenienced by the extra distance to Melbourne.
“Most tourists aren’t looking to go to Melbourne, they’re looking to go to the mainland, and many passengers with their vehicles are looking to go on the Great Ocean Road or maybe even north to Sydney,” he said.
Mr Ferguson said that while he couldn’t go into specific figures about the cost of the lease compared to the current arrangement with Station Pier, there was a “very significant difference”.
“We’re going to a much better facility for a much less comparative cost,” Mr Ferguson said.
Tasmania’s peak tourism industry body welcomed the announcement, describing Station Pier as “1950s infrastructure”.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said it was an “historic, long-term decision for our tourism industry”.
“The reality is we’re getting ships designed to meet Tasmania’s capacity needs towards 2050, and Station Pier is, at best, 1950s infrastructure.
“Obviously its going to mean some changes for our traditional visitor markets around Melbourne, and these will need to be worked through.
“But this site is on the doorstep of Melbourne’s western growth corridor, with enormous population growth projected over coming decades, and it is going to be much more accessible to visitors from regional Victoria, NSW and South Australia.”
The decision has also met with the approval of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, which said it “demonstrated excellent forward thinking”.
“This move will not only help to ease the congestion in streets of inner-city Melbourne, it also provides a new gateway, connecting those departing Tasmania to visit Great Ocean Road or to quickly get on the road to other destinations,” it said in a statement.
Geelong deal ‘financially advantageous’
The ABC reported last month that the
At the time, Premier Peter Gutwein accused the operators of “price gouging”.
“It is very, very important we have a cost-effective dock,” Mr Gutwein said.
“[The operators of Station Pier] want to price gouge. They are looking to take every last cent they possibly can from Tasmanian businesses and customers.”
Mr Grainger would not be drawn in on the debate, but said “the new arrangement that we had with Geelong Ports will be financially advantageous to it”.
“There was no animosity between us and Vic Ports. Station Pier has been a very good home to us over the years and it’s worked well, but quite frankly we’ve just outgrown it,” he said.
It is not known exactly when the company will make the move — the lease at Station Pier expires in 2022 and the company’s chairman said it would be “look to be moving into the new quay prior to that time”.
The company said it had negotiated a 30-year deal.
It was reported earlier this week that the TT-Line ferries would enter into freight only mode, but with some passengers allowed to travel, but only those returning home to Tasmania or to the mainland from Tasmania. But it has been revied that there was no policing of this and holiday makers were still entering the state, which is in stage 2 lock down with the Covid19 pandemic. TT-Line will begin cancelling bookings of pasangers who do not meet the following criteria.
• Tasmanian residents returning to Tasmania; • Essential Travellers to Tasmania; • Freight operators; and • Non-Tasmanian residents returning to the mainland from Tasmania.
To assist with the increased demand of repatriations, TT-Line have scheduled two additional day sailings on Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 1 April 2020 to ensure that Tasmanian residents can return home and that visitors to Tasmania can return back to the mainland.
The Spirit of Tasmania I & II will as of today (Tuesday) carry only freight and repatriation of Tasmanians and mainlanders home and emergency workers only. All holiday makers will not be permitted in Tasmania, including people wanting to self isolate in Caravnas etc. The two ferries a carry large amounts of fresh produce daily to Victoria for Supermarkets, and supply Tasmania with up to 80 trailers of essential goods daily.
It has been announced to today by TT-Line of Tasmania that the new builds will not be built at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft. The contract was mutually terminated.
TT-Line have signed a memorandum of understanding with Rauma Marine constructions of Finland. Currently the expected delivery of the new ships is late 2022 for the first vessel and late 2023 for the second. Rauma had been short listed during the selection process some years ago.
The Rauma ship yard has a long history with building quality ferries over the years, although under several different stages of ownership. They are currently working on the My Star ferry for Estonian based Tallink with delivery 2021.
My Star currently under construction at Rauma. Maybe the new spirits will look a bit like this?
Recently swan in Premier if Tasmania, Peter Gutwein has admitted that the new TT-Line ferries will be late after the state opposition party, labor have been pressing the Government to tell the people whats going on. Although the media has contacted TT-Line, and they maintain that there has been no change to the contract, and expect the vessels to be delivered on time.
The Theofolos, once Bass Strait ferry Abel Tasman was sold back in October to Crete based shipping company ANEN Lines, a subsidiary of ANEK Lines. She will soon make her last trip and will leave Greece for the final time under tow bound for Aliaga Turkey. A crew have come onboard to check the operation a few vital systems, and to see if they can raise the anchors. She will depart soon. More info as it comes to light.
Abel Tasman as built back in 1975 in West Germany as Nils Holgersson.
