Australian 'fiasco' ferry leaves Edinburgh after months docked in Forth
On Thursday morning, June 19, the Spirit of Tasmania IV ship was pictured leaving the city after arriving in Edinburgh at the end of last year.
An Australian ferry that was docked for months in Edinburgh has finally set sail from the capital.
On Thursday morning, June 19, the Spirit of Tasmania IV ship was spotted leaving Leith docks, reports Edinburgh Live.
In December it was reported how the ship was set to be berthed in Edinburgh until next year, after it was discovered to be too big for its intended ports Down Under.
Operator TT-Line confirmed it had been engaging with a broker to lease the ferry, although an agreement was not reached.
The Tasmanian government then ordered the operator to relocate the 212-metre vessel. It was initially moved to Scotland after fears it could be damaged by pack ice.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The situation sparked a political row in Australia after it was feared a new berth to accommodate the shop, and it's sister vessel Spirit of Tasmania V, may not be ready until late 2026 or 2027.
The new Spirit of Tasmania ships have a gross tonnage of 48,000 and have the capacity to hold 1,800 passengers. The vessel is home to 301 new cabins, 118 standard recliners and 47 business recliners.
Tasmania's infrastructure minister, Michael Ferguson, and the chairman of ferry operator TT-Line, which is state-owned, resigned due to the controversy in August.
TT-Line was paying A$47,534 (£24,031) per week to berth the ship at Forth Ports, according to figures published by the Tasmanian government.
In March it was reported there was a possibility of the ferry being used to house Ukrainian refugees in Scotland.
However the Scottish government quickly dismissed this saying: "This is not true and we have no plans to lease this or any other vessel for this purpose."
Tasmania's transport minister Eric Abetz said that the government had done all it could to secure a lease that would benefit Tasmanians.
He said: "We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this.
"Previous similar leases provided more than €50m (£41.2m) to vessel owners, and it was prudent that we sought similar arrangements for Tasmanian taxpayers.
"The relentless negativity is hurting the state's economic opportunities, and it's time to move forward together."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
5 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Eager Edinburgh customers in huge queue stretching up road as new cafe opens
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Hundreds of Edinburgh customers were spotted in a huge queue on a busy street to celebrate the opening of a new bubble tea shop. The team at HeyTea previously announced the opening of their new location in the capital and they officially welcomed customers in on Friday morning. Based at South Bridge, fans of the chain flocked to the new venue to make the most of the 'buy one get one free offer' and hoped to get their hands on the Edinburgh themed magnets - prompting a huge queue. A video taken opposite the road shows the line stretching up South Bridge as customers couldn't wait to get their hands on a drink. A post on Instagram reads: "A fresh sense of taste, awakened by the history tucked in the alleyways. Brew a pot of tea, adding a bit of depth, a bit of layers. "Feel it, gather it, and wait, for another renaissance to unfold. "Grand opening on 20th June. Buy one get one free on our exclusive opening menu. Limited-edition Edinburgh fridge magnets available." An application for HeyTea branded signage was submitted to Edinburgh Council in February of this year and approved in late March. The shop will occupy the premises formerly occupied by another bubble tea shop, HI TEA, now closed. HeyTea is a popular bubble tea brand originating in China. They brand themselves as starting the "new tea style", which innovates traditional tea by adding ingredients like milk, fruit, and various toppings. They sell fruit tea and milk teas, experimenting with unusual ingredients like cheese foam. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Their website reads: "As the originator of the New Style Tea, we hav ebeen infusing our teas with eccentric inspiration, giving traditional tea a new life. We want to create a tea brand for young minds who are tired of mediocracy and who dare to drink differently." This will be the franchise's second Scotland store after their first opened in Glasgow. The brand also operates a number of cafes in London and Manchester. They also operate stores across the world in Australian, America, Canada, and Asia.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scottish lochs named UK's top two spots for a wild swim this summer
Two iconic locations are top of the list when it comes to wild swimming spots. Scotland has made a splash in a new study celebrating the UK's most picturesque wild swimming spots, claiming not just the top two spots, but several other entries in the top 12. The rankings, compiled by football ticket marketplace LiveFootballTickets, looked at the number of Instagram hashtags linked to each location. And at number one, with a staggering 623,000 hashtags, is the iconic Loch Lomond, widely recognised as a symbol of Scotland itself, Scottish Daily Express reports. Just 45 minutes from Glasgow, Loch Lomond is the largest body of freshwater in Great Britain by surface area, covering 71 square kilometres. Its shimmering waters are flanked by deep forests, cascading waterfalls and majestic mountains. It's no surprise it has inspired centuries of songs, poems and stories. In second place, and no stranger to fame, is Loch Ness, racking up 556,000 hashtags. While many flock to the loch hoping for a glimpse of the legendary Nessie, others are drawn by its tranquil beauty. Just half an hour from Inverness, Loch Ness remains one of the most iconic destinations in the Highlands. It is also the largest body of water in Great Britain by volume, containing 7,452 million cubic metres of water - more than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined. The list reveals that Scotland dominates the wild swimming scene, with multiple scenic spots featured throughout. Glen Etive claims sixth place with 55,500 hashtags. The remote Highland glen, known for its breathtaking scenery, famously appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall. Its River Etive winds into Loch Etive, offering a wild and cinematic spot for a refreshing dip. In joint tenth place is the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, with 28,300 hashtags. These natural pools near Glenbrittle are renowned for their crystal-clear, and icy, waters. Though most visitors come for photos, many do brave a swim in the famously brisk pools. Loch Katrine, steeped in Scottish history and literary legend, rounds out the top 12 with 25,800 hashtags. A popular day-trip from Glasgow and Stirling, it's long been associated with figures such as Walter Scott and Rob Roy. Since 1859, it has also served as Glasgow's main drinking water reservoir. The top 12 wild swimming spots based on Instagram hashtags: Loch Lomond – 623,000 hashtags Loch Ness – 556,000 hashtags Pen-y-Fan, Brecon Beacons – 192,000 hashtags Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire – 93,300 hashtags Fairy Glen, Lake District – 61,400 hashtags Glen Etive – 55,500 hashtags Overbeck Bridge, Wastwater – 49,400 hashtags Symonds Yat, Wye Valley – 35,700 hashtags Eskdale, Lake District – 28,700 hashtags Fairy Pools, Skye – 28,300 hashtags Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia – 28,300 hashtags Loch Katrine – 25,800 hashtags Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A spokesperson for LiveFootballTickets said: "With the UK's first heatwave for the summer expected to bring temperatures of above 30°C, people are bound to be looking for ways to escape the heat, so, how about a refreshing dip in cool water?" In a separate recent study, a spot in Scotland was also named the best place in the UK for wild swimming overall, thanks in part to its wealth of natural beauty and clean, cold waters. The west coast region of Argyll and Bute was singled out as a standout spot. The resort town of Oban in particular offers easy access to stunning swim locations like Ganavan Sands and the River Oude. Just a short ferry away, the Isle of Kerrera also boasts several inviting bays and coves. Fort William, in the heart of the Highlands, was highlighted too. Experts noted that the average water temperature in the area hovers around 12.57°C, which they described as 'optimal for swimming'.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
River Island 'plans to shut 33 stores' with hundreds of jobs at risk
A further 71 stores are also at risk depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals, according to a report. Hundreds of jobs are at risk at River Island as part of plans to shut 33 of its UK stores, according to reports. The retailer has drawn up a radical restructuring plan in a bid to reverse a recent slump in trading. Sky News reports the family-owned retailer is proposing to close 33 of its 230 stores as a result. A further 71 stores are also at risk depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals, according to the report. The retailer, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s. It has reportedly hired advisors from PwC in order to oversee the restructuring process. The proposals are set to go to a vote by the firm's creditors – companies or individuals owed money by the retailer – in August. The deal is expected to result in fresh funding being invested into the business in order to help fuel its turnaround. It is among high street fashion chains to have been impacted by weaker consumer spending and competition from cheaper online rivals, such as Shein. River Island fell to a £33.2 million loss in 2023 after sales slid by 19%, according to its most recent set of accounts. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
