Spirit of Tasmania IV Begins Six-Week Voyage from Scotland to Tasmania

The Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry has departed from Scotland and embarked on a six-week, 14,857-nautical-mile journey to Hobart, Australia, with scheduled stops in Gibraltar, the Cape Verde Islands, Cape Town, Mauritius, and Fremantle. This 212-meter, 48,000-gross-tonne vessel is part of a two-ferry replacement project for the aging Spirit I and II ferries that operate between Tasmania and mainland Australia. The project has faced significant delays, cost overruns of about A$800 million, and logistical challenges, including the ferry being too large for the existing Devonport port infrastructure, which is still under construction and expected to be ready by early 2027. Upon arrival in Fremantle, the ship will undergo a four-day stopover for customs, immigration, crew changes, and resupply before the final fit-out in Hobart, which includes installing locally made furnishings and conducting crew training exercises. The construction delays and technical issues, such as problems with the liquefied natural gas fuel system, contributed to the ferry's late departure and several postponements. The new vessels are expected to enhance capacity and modernize the crucial Bass Strait transport link once operational, which is anticipated by late 2026 or early 2027.