Tasports reassures King Islanders

TASPORTS has moved to assure King Island residents and shippers that the weekly service will continue uninterrupted when Bass Island Line’s John Duigan is drydocked later this year.

John Duigan is scheduled to depart for dry docking in Yamba, NSW, in August 2026 for up to eight weeks, returning to service in October 2026, following completion of its planned maintenance.

To ensure the ongoing provision of safe and reliable shipping for the King Island community, BIL will continue to provide its regular service using an interim charter vessel - Investigator II.

The 1,109 GT Investigator II is also a bow-loading landing craft, owned by Auriga Marine of Queensland and currently operating between Darwin and Gove. It previously operated on bareboat charter to BIL prior to the delivery of John Duigan from Malaysian builders.

BIL general manager Toby Terry said maintaining reliable service for customers had been a key priority in planning the works.

“We understand the importance of consistent and reliable shipping for the King Island community and have planned these works carefully to minimise disruption, through the provision of an interim charter vessel and scheduling maintenance during the off-peak season.

“We’re also working closely with customers and shipping agents to understand their cargo needs and accommodate demand during this period.

“Planned vessel maintenance is essential for any shipping line. These works will underpin the ongoing safe provision of BIL’s King Island service and will inform future maintenance projects for John Duigan.

“As part of these planned works, BIL will also complete its required five-year commercial vessel class survey, as regulated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority,” Mr Terry said.

“Our focus remains on service continuity and clear communication with our customers,” he said.

John Duigan, a 1,738 GT bow-loading ro-ro/landing craft was introduced in 2018 and sails weekly between Devonport and Grassy, with seasonal extra sailings. It carries containers, vehicles, livestock and project cargo as required.