Spirit of Tasmania V explained

Spirit of Tasmania V is a roll-on/roll-off ferry, under construction by Rauma Marine Constructions at its shipyards in Rauma, Finland. It is to be operated by Spirit of Tasmania in Australia on the Bass Strait ferry route between Geelong, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania.

In April 2021 Rauma Marine Constructions signed a contract with Spirit of Tasmania for the construction of two ships, the Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V.^{[1] [2] [3]} Construction commenced on 20 December 2022 with a steel-cutting ceremony.^{[4] [5]} It was launched on 19 July 2024 by the Governor of Tasmania, Barbara Baker.^{[6] [7]}

The two ferries will replace the Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II. Because of delays around the construction of an upgraded wharf at Devonport, the vessel is not scheduled to enter service until July 2026.^[8]

Notes and References

1. https://rmcfinland.fi/contract-for-two-new-car-and-passenger-ferries-for-tt-line-strengthens-rmcs-order-book-significantly/|title=Contract for two new car and passenger ferries for TT-Line strengthens RMC’s order book significantly
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20221127155356/https://maritime-executive.com/article/tasmania-orders-finnish-ferries-after-studying-domestic-construction Tasmania Orders Finnish Ferries After Studying Domestic Construction
3. Two ordered from Rauma Ships Monthly June 2021 page 6
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20221231124830/https://rmcfinland.fi/rauma-shipyard-begins-construction-of-the-second-lng-powered-car-and-passenger-ferry-for-the-worlds-southernmost-open-sea-route-between-mainland-australia-and-tasmania/ Rauma shipyard begins construction of the second LNG-powered car and passenger ferry for the world’s southernmost open sea route between mainland Australia and Tasmania
5. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221022630/https://devonport.seafmtas.com.au/news-menu/tasmanian-news/275932-spirit-of-tasmania-5-underway Spirit of Tasmania 5 underway
6. https://rmcfinland.fi/rauma-shipyard-launches-the-second-passenger-car-ferry-ordered-for-tasmania/ Rauma shipyard launches the second passenger-car ferry ordered for Tasmania
7. https://www.bairdmaritime.com/passenger/ro-pax/australias-newest-spirit-of-tasmania-ferry-launched-in-finland Australia's newest Spirit of Tasmania ferry launched in Finland
8. https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/labor-concerned-new-spirit-ferries-may-be-leased-out-until-tasmanian-berth-is-ready/ Labor concerned new Spirit ferries may be leased out until Tasmanian berth is ready