20 December 2022
Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has formally started construction of the second roll on / roll off ships that have been commissioned to replace the current Spirit of Tasmania vessels.
The first steel will be cut for Spirit of Tasmania V – as the vessel will be named – at 7:15pm AEDT on Tuesday 20 December 2022.
The new vessels will have an overall length of 212-metres and a beam of 31-metres, compared to the current ships that are 194.33 metres long overall with a beam of 25-metres.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Dwyer said the steel cutting ceremony in Finland – together with the steel cutting ceremony and keel laying ceremony that have already been conducted for Spirit of Tasmania IV - was much more than a traditional maritime celebration.
“These vessels are the first the company will own that are purpose built for Bass Strait,” he said.
“As the new dimensions indicate, these ships are much bigger than the current vessels – featuring substantially larger capacity for passengers, passenger vehicles and freight – and will be a major contributor for the economy of Tasmania for 30 years to come.”
Mr Dwyer said Spirit of Tasmania had previously stated that it was delighted to be working with RMC on the project.
“The European-based ship builder has an excellent reputation for building and delivering vessels of outstanding quality,” he said.
“We have been so impressed with the company from day one and are confident that it will deliver ships that will in turn allow us to deliver the very best outcomes for Tasmania.”
The steel cutting ceremony can be seen live at www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/new-ships/news-and-updates.
Released by:
Nicolas Turner
Tel: 0418 538 865
