The future of the Spirit of Tasmania is uncertain, with decisions expected soon on its leasing or return to Tasmania
Leith: The Spirit of Tasmania has been sitting idle, costing taxpayers a pretty penny. By the end of the month, it’ll have racked up £500,000 without even being in service.
TT-Line, the ferry operator, is looking into options for leasing or chartering the ship, which can hold 1,800 passengers. They’ve got a broker on the case, exploring possibilities.
A spokesperson mentioned that several interested parties have already visited Leith to check out the vessel. Talks are still happening, and they expect to have some advice by the end of the month.
Originally built in Finland, the ferry was moved to Scotland because of worries about ice in the Baltic Sea. TT-Line’s chief, Bernard Dwyer, pointed out that the ship isn’t suited for the chilly North Sea temperatures.
Leith Port was chosen as the best spot to store the new vessel, considering costs and climate. Right now, it’s costing about £12,915 a week to keep it there, which is a drop from the £24,000 it was costing initially.
However, that doesn’t include the crewing costs, which are around £48,000 a week, plus other expenses that haven’t been fully figured out yet. The Tasmanian government confirmed there haven’t been any updates on costs or arrangements.
If they can’t lease it out, bringing the Spirit IV back to Tasmania will set them back about £2 million. So, there’s a lot riding on these upcoming decisions!
