Spirit of Tasmania new Devonport ferry berth costs blow out, but government says it will be finished quickerBy Josh DugganTopic:Infrastructure1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:32amConstruction work on the new ferry terminal, as of November last year. (Facebook: Ferries of Tasmania)In short:Another $120 million cost blowout has hit the embattled Spirit of Tasmania ferry replacement project, with berth infrastructure set to cost $493 million.Transport Minister Eric Abetz says TT-Line's original project estimate of $90 million prior to 2024 was "fanciful".What's next?The new ships are now expected to be in service by October 2026, with Spirit IV arriving in Hobart for fit-out in mid-July.abc.net.au/news/tas-cost-blowout-for-new-spirit-of-tasmania-berth/105273110Link copiedShareShare articleThe Tasmanian government has revealed another cost blowout to berth infrastructure to host the two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, with the project now set to cost nearly half a billion dollars.Transport Minister Eric Abetz told a parliamentary committee on Friday morning that the berth works in Devonport were now set to cost $493 million — up from an estimate last year of $375 million.Last year's figure was itself an increase from an original estimate of $90 million provided by state-owned ferry operator TT-Line, and TasPorts.An artist's impression of the new Spirit of Tasmania 3 East Berth in Devonport. (Supplied: TasPorts)Mr Abetz said it was "fanciful to suggest" the original figure was ever realistic, and a "clear failure" by TT-Line."For example, it did not include the contract to change costs arising from the previous board's decision to go back out for procurement, or project items, which were either not priced or underpriced, but always required as part of the project delivery," he said."Excessive optimism was a major failing of past management of the project."Critics lash ads about Spirit ferriesPhoto shows Spirit of Tasmania IV ship in port.Tasmania's government has paid for double-page ads across three newspapers to address "frequently asked questions" about why the Spirit of Tasmania ferries are still a long way off operating.The vessel replacement project has been beset by delays and cost blowouts, both to the ships themselves and the berthing infrastructure, while the saga has seen heads roll in the government and on TT-Line's board.Former TT-Line chair Mike Grainger and former CEO Bernard Dwyer have both departed the organisation, while former deputy premier Guy Barnett elected unopposed as Tasmania's deputy premier over the saga.The ships — being built by Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Construction — were originally expected to arrive in the state in late 2024.One of the two vessels is already complete and sitting in dock in Scotland, waiting for a suitable berth in Tasmania, and the other underwent its first sea trial last month.The new Spirit of Tasmania IV is still docked in Scotland but will leave for Hobart at the end of the month. (Supplied: Dennis Conaghan)Last year, when announcing new timelines for the project, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the berth would not be ready until February 2027, but that the government was pulling out all the stops to try to get it ready for October 2026.Apple makes 'local content' supplier list for Tasmania's ferries fit-outPhoto shows Spirit of Tasmania new ferry funnel lifted by cranes into place.The fit-outs for the new Spirit ferries were initially pledged to include up to $100 million in "Tasmanian local content", but the state government says that now includes Australia-wide businesses and big multinationals.Mr Abetz told the committee this morning, that the best-case estimate of October 2026 was now confirmed, calling it "good news"."The government has always said it would pursue every opportunity to bring forward the time frame for the delivery of berth 3 infrastructure — this required design, planning and negotiation," he said."The government and I are comfortable we are now receiving robust and accurate advice from the company for this project."Spirit IV to arrive in Tasmania this winterSince December last year, the first of the new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV, has been at the Port of Leith, in Scotland.The ship had been stored there while the state government was investigating if it could be leased to other companies in the meantime, but in early March announced it would end those negotiations and bring the ship to Tasmania.To the end of March, the state government had paid $3,554,552 for berthing costs.Mr Abetz said Spirit IV would depart Leith "on or around" May 26, and begin its journey to Hobart for its final fit-out.A render showing one of the cabins on the new Spirit of Tasmania ferry. (Supplied: TT-Line)Those works are expected to take six to eight weeks.It is unclear where the ship will be stored after that."We've also almost been inundated by expressions of interest from other ports around Australia, so we haven't dismissed that," Mr Abetz said."But obviously we want to look at Tasmania in the first option."Business, tourism groups savage Liberals over Spirits fiascoPhoto shows Three men in high vis and hard hats talk to the mediaTasmania's business and tourism groups have grown increasingly fed up with the state government over its handling of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.TT-Line acting chief executive Kym Sayers said the vessels could anchor in Hobart's River Derwent.Company chair Ken Kanofski said leasing options for the second vessel, Spirit V, had not been ruled out — but were "highly improbable".Spirit V is nearing completion in Finland. Mr Abetz said the ship was getting its finishing touches, with a second set of sea trials scheduled for later this month."It's anticipated that once complete, the vessel will sail before the commencement of the northern ice season in November," he said."Plans for relocating Spirit of Tasmania V to a suitable berth post-this are yet to be finalised."Loading...Ship ticked off to squeeze into MerseyMr Abetz also revealed in this morning's hearing that the ships had approval by the harbour master to operate in the Mersey River at Devonport.Mr Abetz said speculation over whether the vessels could operate in the Mersey had "kept me awake at night"."I am pleased to table advice recently received by TT-Line from the harbour master confirming that the new vessels will be able to safely enter the port, swing in the swing basin, and then both berth at and depart from the new berth," he said.At 212 metres long, both Spirits IV and V are 18 metres longer than the current vessels.Due to their size, they cannot be operated out of the existing Spirit of Tasmania berth without impacting the operations of the shipping company SeaRoad.The Spirit of Tasmania ferries dock in Devonport, in northern Tasmania. (ABC News: Morgan Timms)Posted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:32am, updated 42m ago42 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 3:49amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesTaylor confirms Liberal leadership showdown with Ley, PM urges unity in caucusLIVEPhoto shows Angus Taylor press conferenceAustralia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Sussan LeyErin Patterson took son on hours-long drive despite feeling sick, murder trial hears — as it happenedTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtChina criticises Australia over joint exercises in South China SeaTopic:Defence and National SecurityPhoto shows A Philippine Navy AW159 helicopter with the the HMAS Sydney in the background. 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