The Spirit of Tasmania IV is currently in Gage Roads, just off Fremantle, en route to Tasmania to commence ferry services across the Bass Strait betwen Tasmania and Victoria.
Her last port of call was Port Louis, Mauritius, and her next is listed as Hobart.
Spirit IV has been a long time in the coming and part of a lingering cost blowout controversy in the Apple Isle as plans to upgrade ferry service between Tassie and Victoria have provided a heavy political headache for all concerned.
Seems she made a brief detour to Henderson before dropping anchor in Gage Roads and getting ready to continue on.
She departs Gage Roads tomorrow, 17 August at 10 am, all being well.
Super snapper and great photographic contributor to the Shipping News, Les Moyle of Balm Commercial Photography, caught Spirit IV at anchor in Gage Roads yesterday and provided these images exclusively to the Shipping News. (Copyright claimed by Les Moyle and FSN). What a sight!
Spirit IV was built by Rauma Marine Constructions in Rauma, Finland, a shipyard known for crafting high-performance ferries suited to challenging maritime conditions like those of the Bass Strait.
As to her construction and cost, the ferry was –
• Ordered in April 2021
• Laid down in October 2022
• Launched in October 2023
• Cost: While the exact build cost hasn’t been publicly itemized, the broader ferry upgrade project—including Spirit IV, Spirit V, and Devonport infrastructure – has apparently ballooned from an initial $90 million to $493 million due to delays and scope expansion
• Storage Costs: After construction, Spirit IV was held in Scotland for nearly six months, costing, by all reports, $4.3 million in crew, fuel, and port fees.
She’s impressive for sure. Here’s some of her specs and capacities –
Length 212 metres
Beam (width) 31 metres
Passenger capacity Up to 1,800 passengers
Vehicle capacity 4,098 lane metres (for cars, caravans, freight)
Speed Service speed: 26 knots; Max: 31.5 knots
Fuel type Dual-fuel engines, including LNG
Onboard amenities Cinemas, bars, dining, shops, children’s areas, pet-friendly cabins.
Thanks for calling by Freo, Spirit IV.
Enjoy your Hobart welcome!
By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shippijg News
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