TT-LINE’S decision to move the Spirit of Tasmania berth from Station Pier to Geelong presents an opportunity for the Geelong region, Victorian port and freight minister Melissa Horne says.

The decision to switch bases was announced this week by TT-Line and GeelongPort.

It followed wrangling over fees between the Tasmanian government, which owns TT-Line and Victorian Ports Corporation, a Victorian state government entity.

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Earlier in the year, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein used Parliament to suggest the operators of Station Pier.

In a statement to Daily Cargo News, Minister Horne said the decision to change the Spirit of Tasmania’s route was a decision for the Tasmanian government.

“We welcome the opportunity that this presents to grow tourism in Geelong, on the Bellarine Peninsula and across the Surf Coast,” Ms Horne said.

“We’ll continue to work with TT-Line and the Tasmanian government as we always have to ensure the best interests of Victorians and Tasmanians are served.”