TT LINE has officially opened bookings today for Bass Strait replacement ro-paxes Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, with first sailings firmly scheduled from Geelong and Devonport respectively on the night of 31 October.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the new Spirits will strengthen the connection between mainland Australia and Tasmania.
“We welcomed 1.4 million visitors in the year ending March 2026 and the new ships will support future growth in the tourism industry,” Mr Rockliff said.
“With 40% more capacity, visitors will have access to a range of extended accommodation options, including pet-friendly cabins accommodating up to two pets; family cabins sleeping up to six guests; deluxe cabin options; and premium business recliners.
Passengers can access the expanded range of accommodation options, including new pet-friendly cabins, family cabins and business recliners, with passengers being able to book up to 12 months in advance.
Passenger fares start from $49, vehicle fares also start from $49, and cabin upgrades are available from $125.
Tasmania’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Kerry Vincent, said the sale of the additional capacity marked a significant milestone in the delivery of the new ships.
“The Spirits are a gateway to Tasmania, with visitors treated to a range of exciting features onboard that celebrate our landscapes, produce, stories, artists and makers,” Mr Vincent said.
“We are delivering the infrastructure and services our tourism and freight industries need.
“The increased freight capacity will provide greater opportunities for Tasmanian producers and businesses to export their products.
“The new ships also feature 301 cabins, including accessible cabins, and have more than three times the capacity for caravans.”
Spirit IV is currently in the Captain Cook Drydock at Garden Island in Sydney having its hull cleaned prior to entry into service.
The ship left Melbourne at around1930 on Saturday [12 September] and is expected to remain in Sydney until next Wednesday, before returning to Melbourne lay-up.
The 47,994 GT vessel has been ‘in the water’, mostly idle, since its launch in Finland on 27 November 2023, and requires removal of accumulated marine growth and other checks.
Spirit V is due to sail from Melbourne to Devonport in a week’s time [23 September] for berthing trials before it too returns to lay-up.
The government, TT Line and contractors are now completely confident that the new ships’ terminal, Berth 3 at East Devonport, completion of which is over two years late, will be fully ready at end-October, and under the most recent budget estimate of $493 million. The two new ships have cost $717 million more than originally budgeted.
Meanwhile, KiwiRail’s Interisland Line ro-pax Kaitaki is awaiting bunkers off Gladstone, enroute back from an eight-week drydocking trip to Singapore. It is due to re-enter Cook Strait service later this month.