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.

History
NameSpirit of Tasmania IV
OwnerSpirit of Tasmania
OperatorSpirit of Tasmania
Port of registryDevonport
RouteGeelongDevonport
OrderedApril 2021
BuilderRauma Marine Constructions, Rauma, Finland
Yard number6009
Laid down28 October 2022
Launched27 October 2023
In serviceJuly 2026 (scheduled)
IdentificationIMO number9936587
StatusAwaiting delivery
General characteristics
Class and typeRopax ferry
Tonnage
Length212 m (695 ft 6 in)
Beam31 m (102 ft)
Installed power4 × Wärtsilä 9L46DF (4 × 10,305 kW)[1]
Speed31.5 knots (58.3 km/h; 36.2 mph) Maximum Speed, 26 knots Service Speed
Capacity
  • 1,800 passengers
  • 4,098 lanemeters

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.[2][3][4] Construction commenced on 28 February 2022 with a steel-cutting ceremony.[5] The keel was laid on 28 October 2022.[6] It will be the first ferry on the Bass Strait route to use LNG fuel.[7][8] The two ferries will replace the Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II.

The ship commenced sea trials in June 2024.[9][10][11] In September 2024, it was handed over by Rauma Marine Constructions to Spirit of Tasmania.[12][13] As at October 2024, it remained in Finland.[14]

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.[15]

Because of delays around the construction of an upgraded wharf at Devonport, the vessel is not scheduled to enter service until July 2026.[16]

The ship was delivered in 2024 and will be laid up in Scotland.[17][18] [19]

References

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  1. ^ "Spirit of Tasmania IV (9936587)". Sea-web. S&P Global. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. ^ for two new car and passenger ferries for TT-Line strengthens RMC’s order book significantly Rauma Marine Constructions 14 April 2021
  3. ^ Tasmania Orders Finnish Ferries After Studying Domestic Construction The Maritime Executive 14 April 2021
  4. ^ Two ordered from Rauma Ships Monthly June 2021 page 6
  5. ^ Construction on second new Spirit of Tasmania ferry under way Geelong Times 19 January 2023
  6. ^ Keel laying of Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry celebrated in Rauma shipyard Rauma Marine Constructions 28 October 2022
  7. ^ Construction of the world’s southernmost LNG-powered car and passenger ferry started at Rauma, Finland Archived 31 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine Rauma Marine Constructions 28 February 2022
  8. ^ Keel laying of Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry celebrated in Rauma shipyard Helsinki Times 28 February 2022
  9. ^ "Spirit of Tasmania IV conducted its first sea trial". Shippax.
  10. ^ "Spirit of Tasmania IV - First sea trial deemed a success". Spirit of Tasmania. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Le finlandais Rauma Marine s'apprête à livrer le premier ferry de Spirit of Tasmania". Mer et Marine (in French). 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  12. ^ TT-Line takes ownership of Spirit of Tasmania IV Spirit of Tasmania 13 September 2024
  13. ^ Builder hands over Spirit of Tasmania IV Daily Cargo News 13 September 2024
  14. ^ Spirit of Tasmania 4 Vessel Tracker
  15. ^ "Australian 'ferries fiasco' ship to be mothballed in Edinburgh". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  16. ^ Labor concerned new Spirit ferries may be leased out until Tasmanian berth is ready Pulse Tasmania 16 October 2024
  17. ^ https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/more-woes-for-tasmania-s-ferries-newbuild-goes-adrift-in-a-storm
  18. ^ https://maritime-executive.com/article/tasmania-s-brand-new-ferry-will-be-laid-up-in-scotland-for-two-years
  19. ^ https://rmcfinland.fi/rmc-delivered-the-first-spirit-of-tasmania-to-the-owner/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFPwhhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHc3z9Kps7LYPvuovrfg6luG0gqwfpum91enVHK6Equk-9Lg6pS-uOHrs7w_aem_i5W-TG0bFpzL6AKOQH7prw