The Spirit of Tasmania sister vessels are set to operate on the world’s southernmost sea route between mainland Australia and Tasmania.

“As the production of the first Spirit of Tasmania vessel is proceeding well, it is wonderful to continue the production of the line in good collaboration with the client. They need two new ships for the route, and it is great that the ships will be finished closely together,” says Mika Heiskanen, CEO, RMC.

The design and construction of both vessels have proceeded according to the agreed schedule.

Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line Company), the purchaser of the vessels, is a significant player in maritime transport between mainland Australia and Tasmania. Currently, the Spirit of Tasmania-named vessels carry around 450,000 passengers each year.

The new vessels will operate on an extremely challenging route across the Bass Strait between Geelong, Victoria, and Devonport, Tasmania. The ferries have been specially designed to undertake this specific route. They will sail continuously between the ports and pass each other at sea.

The ferries are equipped with modern dual fuel engines capable of using liquefied natural gas (LNG). They will hold 1,800 passengers each and their gross tonnage will be approximately 48,000 metric tonnes. The new vessels will replace SPIRIT OF TASMANIA I and II, built by Kvaerner Masa in 1998.

“As the new dimensions indicate, these ships are much bigger than the current vessels – featuring substantially larger capacity for passengers, passenger vehicles and freight – and will be a major contributor for the economy of Tasmania for 30 years to come,” says Bernard Dwyer, CEO and Managing Director of Spirit of Tasmania.

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV is planned to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024, and SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V in late 2024.  

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