Spirit of Tasmania IV explained

Spirit of Tasmania IV is a roll-on/roll-off ferry built by Rauma Marine Constructions 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 28 February 2022 with a steel-cutting ceremony.[4] The keel was laid on 28 October 2022.[5] It will be the first ferry on the Bass Strait route to use LNG fuel.[6] [7] The two ferries will replace the Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II.

The ship commenced sea trials in June 2024.[8] [9] [10] In September 2024, it was handed over by Rauma Marine Constructions to Spirit of Tasmania.[11] [12] As at October 2024, it remained in Finland.[13]

Due to Finland's cold winters and pack ice, the Spirit of Tasmania IV is to be mothballed in the Port of Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.[14]

Because of delays around the construction of an upgraded wharf at Devonport, the vessel is not scheduled to enter service until July 2026.[15]

The ship was delivered in 2024 and will be laid up in Scotland.[16] [17] [18]

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/20230204102658/https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/geelongtimes/news/construction-on-second-new-spirit-of-tasmania-ferry-under-way/ Construction on second new Spirit of Tasmania ferry under way
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20221127085507/https://rmcfinland.fi/keel-laying-of-spirit-of-tasmania-car-and-passenger-ferry-celebrated-in-rauma-shipyard-the-vessel-represents-the-biggest-foreign-sale-between-finland-and-australia/ Keel laying of Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry celebrated in Rauma shipyard
  6. https://rmcfinland.fi/construction-of-the-worlds-southernmost-lng-powered-car-and-passenger-ferry-started-at-rauma-finland-rmc-to-build-two-ropax-ferries-for-the-open-sea-route-between-mainland-australi/ Construction of the world’s southernmost LNG-powered car and passenger ferry started at Rauma, Finland
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20221102172254/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22434-keel-laying-of-spirit-of-tasmania-car-and-passenger-ferry-celebrated-in-rauma-shipyard.html Keel laying of Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry celebrated in Rauma shipyard
  8. Web site: Spirit of Tasmania IV conducted its first sea trial. Shippax.
  9. Web site: Spirit of Tasmania IV - First sea trial deemed a success . Spirit of Tasmania. June 26, 2024.
  10. Web site: 2024-06-26 . Le finlandais Rauma Marine s'apprête à livrer le premier ferry de Spirit of Tasmania. 2024-06-26 . Mer et Marine . fr.
  11. https://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/company-information/media/media-releases/tt-line-takes-ownership-of-spirit-of-tasmania-iv TT-Line takes ownership of Spirit of Tasmania IV
  12. https://www.thedcn.com.au/news-repeat/builder-hands-over-spirit-iv/ Builder hands over Spirit of Tasmania IV
  13. https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9936587 Spirit of Tasmania 4
  14. Web site: Australian 'ferries fiasco' ship to be mothballed in Edinburgh . 2024-10-30 . www.bbc.com . en-GB.
  15. 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
  16. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/more-woes-for-tasmania-s-ferries-newbuild-goes-adrift-in-a-storm
  17. https://maritime-executive.com/article/tasmania-s-brand-new-ferry-will-be-laid-up-in-scotland-for-two-years
  18. https://rmcfinland.fi/rmc-delivered-the-first-spirit-of-tasmania-to-the-owner/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFPwhhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHc3z9Kps7LYPvuovrfg6luG0gqwfpum91enVHK6Equk-9Lg6pS-uOHrs7w_aem_i5W-TG0bFpzL6AKOQH7prw

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Spirit of Tasmania IV".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.