In a bewildering turn of events, the newly constructed Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry is set to be mothballed in Edinburgh due to major infrastructure delays on the other side of the world. Spanning 212 meters (695 feet), the ferry was built in a shipyard in Finland but must be moved from its location in Rauma — where pack ice is imminent — before winter conditions render it susceptible to damage.
Currently, the ferry cannot be accommodated at the existing berths in Devonport, Australia, and a new terminal is not expected to be completed until late 2026 or 2027. This disappointing delay has escalated into what Australian media have termed a “ferries fiasco”, leading to serious political repercussions in Tasmania, with officials resigning amid the unfolding scandal.
TT-Line chief executive Bernard Dwyer emphasized the necessity of relocating the vessel to Leith, Scotland, citing safety concerns and more suitable climatic conditions for the ship's preservation. Plans to potentially lease the ferry have been hindered by the need for further modifications required by the original construction agreement, which called for finishing work to be done in Australia.
The complications surrounding Spirit of Tasmania IV echo issues faced in Scotland, where similar infrastructural mishaps have occurred with the CMAL state-owned ferry program. The Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa vessels, still undergoing construction at the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow, have fallen victim to similar issues, rendering their intended terminals unfit for their size — mirroring the plight of Tasmania’s ferry projects.
With the Australian political landscape witnessing this infrastructure scandal, and with the ferry industry in Scotland grappling with its own complications, the Spirit of Tasmania IV stands as a cautionary tale of operational blunders in maritime transportation management.
