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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
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."
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Australian 'fiasco' ferry leaves Edinburgh after months docked in the capital
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 A huge Australian ferry has finally left Edinburgh after months in the capital. On Thursday morning, June 19, the Spirit of Tasmania IV ship was pictured leaving Leith docks. In December we reported how the ship was set to be berthed in the capital until 2026 after it was found to be too big for its intended ports Down Under. Operator TT-Line said it had been engaging with a broker to lease the ferry, although an agreement could not be reached. The Tasmanian government then ordered the operator to relocate the 212-metre vessel. It was originally moved to Scotland due to fears it could be damaged by pack ice. The saga sparked a political row in Australia after a new berth to accommodate the shop, and its 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 a capacity of 1,800 passengers. The vessel features 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. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. In March we 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."
The Herald Scotland
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Spirit of Tasmania ferry scandal threatens to sink government
For six months, the Tasmanian Government has wrestled with its decision spend £450m on two new ferries to link it with Australia, despite not having ports large enough to accommodate them. In a startling mirror-image of Scotland's own ferry fiasco, costs to build the both the dual-fuel ferries and their berths have ballooned since the plan was laid down – and now the ports are not expected to be ready till next year at the earliest. Since December, one of the ferries – Spirit of Tasmania IV – has languished at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh, at a cost of £22,000 per week to the Tasmanian taxpayer. And this week the bill came due for the state's Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff, who faced the collapse of his 'rainbow coalition' and lost a no confidence vote, with the ferries one of several reasons he had lost the faith of parliament. In October, the scandal cost the frontbench position of the government's Treasurer and Deputy Premier Tasmanian Liberal Michael Ferguson. Tasmania's ferry fiasco is not too dissimilar to Scotland's woes (Image: Jane Barlow) Now the state stands poised to head to the polls if a new deal cannot be worked out and a replacement for Mr Rockcliff be found. Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Spirit of Tasmania in Scotland isn't going anywhere soon. While Spirit IV was docked at Leith, its state-owned operator, TT-Line, searched for an someone to lease it until the port was completed in Tasmania. But negotiations collapsed in early March. The state government told TT-Line to bring Spirit IV back to Tasmania and it was due to depart on 26 May, before being delayed by poor weather. During that time, engineers found technical problems with the ship's liquefied natural gas systems. 'The government is awaiting further details in relation to a new expected departure date, but it is understood that this work will take some time,' the state's transport minister, Eric Abetz, said last week. READ MORE: Huge fiasco ship mothballed in Scotland at a cost of £23k a week 'Farcical': Newly-built ferry to be mothballed in Edinburgh 'for two years' When questioned about the delays in parliament, Abetz accused the Labor opposition of 'talking [the ferry] down all the time'. 'I say thank goodness for the weather, because she might have been well into the deep oceans and then suffer a mechanical issue, the full extent of which I am not appraised of,' Abetz said. 'We want to make sure the ship is safe and, even more importantly, the crew is safe. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure the protection of the crew.' However, the ship has become something of a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, despite its status as a national embarrassment Down Under. Ian Stirling, who founded a whisky distillery right next to where the Spirit of Tasmania is docked, told the Guardian his long-term nautical neighbour has delivered patrons, with a side of political drama.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Botched' Bass Strait ferries suffer new cost blowout
People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships. Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history. One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built. The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project. The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027. On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer. The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million. The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024. Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays. "The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said. The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months. TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete. The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland. People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships. Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history. One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built. The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project. The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027. On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer. The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million. The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024. Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays. "The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said. The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months. TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete. The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland. People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships. Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history. One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built. The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project. The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027. On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer. The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million. The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024. Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays. "The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said. The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months. TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete. The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland. People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships. Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history. One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built. The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project. The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027. On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer. The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million. The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024. Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays. "The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said. The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months. TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete. The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland.
Perth Now
09-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
'Botched' Bass Strait ferries suffer new cost blowout
People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships. Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history. One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built. The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project. The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027. On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer. The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million. The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024. Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays. "The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said. The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months. TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete. The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland.
