SEAROAD MERSEY II in the Kiel Canal on her way to Tasmania © Photo Frank Behling

New ro-ro solution for Tasmania’s King Island

Ro-roA new joint venture has been formed to ensure continuity of ro-ro services to Tasmania’s King Island in Bass Strait. Devonport-based SeaRoad Shipping provides the current once-weekly service with SEAROAD MERSEY, which calls at Grassy on King Island during Melbourne-Devonport voyages.

But this vessel will be replaced in December by the new LNG-powered SEAROAD MERSY II, now on its delivery voyage from Europe. SEAROAD MERSEY II is too large to use Grassy Harbour, the only commercial port on King Island.

Now SeaRoad has announced it is joining forces with Sydney's Port and Coastal Marine Services to establish Bass Strait Island Shipping, which will take over the KI service early next year and operate independently.
PCMS has obtained the Norwegian platform supply vessel SIEM SUPPLIER, which is en route from Brazil to Singapore for conversion to handle trailers, containers and other cargo.

To be named KING ISLAND TRADER the vessel will offer twice-weekly connections between Grassy and SeaRoad's Devonport terminal. BSIS says direct services from Grassy to Stanley, Tasmania and Melbourne, Victoria will be considered according to customer demand.

Nov 16 2016