The departure of the current Spirit of Tasmania from Devonport on Saturday (31 August 2002) for the last time marked the end of a significant period in TT-Line Company Pty Ltd's history.

Since her inaugural crossing in November 1993, the Spirit has carried 2.3 million passengers safely across Bass Strait and covered close to 680,000 nautical miles in the process.

Over this time she has also carried 807,000 and 185,000 TEU's.

Chief Executive Peter Simmons said the Spirit of Tasmania had established a proud record of service and would leave behind a lot of friends among crew and passengers.

" The Spirit has been a great workhorse for the State and has contributed significantly to the Tasmanian economy," he said.

" It has been estimated that the Spirit directly and indirectly contributed $160 million annually to the Tasmanian economy and $50 million annually o the economy of Victoria."

When she enters Port Phillip Bay on Sunday morning for the final time, the vessel will have completed 2,849 crossings of Bass Strait.

Mr Simmons said while it would be an emotional time for some as the company said farewell to an old friend, it was also the beginning of an exciting new period for TT-Line and for the state's tourism industry.

" The new Spirit of Tasmania I and II service has the potential to deliver an additional 77,000 mainland visitors to Tasmania over 12 months," he said.

" Even without taking into account the additional daylight crossings planned for September, October and December 2002 and January and March 2003, and using the conservative figure of 650 passengers per overnight voyage, TT-Line's Bass Strait capacity for 12 months will be 474,500 people.

" This is 124,000 more people than TT-Line has ever carried on Bass Strait in one year."

Mr Simmons said the introduction of the new service was expected to trigger a renewed interest in sea travel and Tasmania as a holiday destination.

" Importantly, the new vessels have provided the Tasmanian tourism industry with the confidence needed to upgrade existing properties and invest in new ventures," he said.