Navigation section

VIDEO How did two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries end up without a port? | ABC News

The YouTube video titled "How did two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries end up without a port?" provides a detailed account of a complex and costly logistical debacle involving Tasmania's new Spirit of Tasmania ferries. Here's a summary:

Key Points Highlighted in the Video:​

  1. Initial Vision and Delays:
    • The Tasmanian government initially announced plans in 2017 to have two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels built by the German shipbuilder FSG for $714 million, due for completion in 2021.
    • However, when the shipbuilder went bankrupt in 2020, the project was paused, prompting a reassessment of the plan.
  2. Changes to the Shipbuilding Agreement:
    • After FSG, the government signed a contract with Finnish company RMC to build the ships. Inflation and rising steel costs caused the price to jump significantly:
      • Initial estimate: $850 million.
      • Final adjusted cost: $888 million after accounting for financial difficulties faced by RMC.
  3. The Port Issue:
    • The new, much larger ferries require a specially designed port to accommodate their size. Originally estimated to cost $90 million and be ready by August 2024, the port project has suffered massive delays and budget overruns:
      • New cost estimate: $370 million.
      • New completion date: February 2027—over two years after the ships are completed.
  4. Consequences and Fallout:
    • The ships are left in limbo:
      • One ("Spirit of Tasmania IV") is docked in Scotland, potentially for an extended period, racking up costs.
      • The second ("Spirit V") remains under construction in Finland.
    • The knock-on effects include:
      • Political fallout within Tasmania, leading to multiple resignations, including:
      • Michael Ferguson, the Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister.
      • TT-Line's Chief Executive, Bernard Dwyer, and its Chairperson.
      • Economic consequences for Tasmanian tourism operators who rely on the ferries for business.
  5. Uncertain Future:
    • Debate continues about leasing the ferries to private operators until 2027, though no clear long-term solution has been finalized.

Broader Implications:​

This debacle has escalated into what is described as Tasmania's biggest infrastructure failure, emphasizing how projects of this scale depend on coordinated planning, execution, and risk management. It has led to questions about accountability and the financial sustainability of similar large-scale projects.
This situation is a cascade of missteps and overlooked risks, resulting in a significant financial and logistical strain. If you'd like, I can dive deeper into specific aspects, such as the political fallout, or explore parallels to other infrastructure projects around the world! 🌏🚢
 


yes bigger ships need more water under them but the port is only one issue because it turns out that port is up river a bit and even getting to it is currently impossible for those size of ships
 


You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top