The roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Spirit of Tasmania IV departed the Port of Leith on 30 June 2025 and started the 14,857-nautical-mile voyage to Hobart. She had been docked there since December 2024, having been delivered by her builders but unable to enter service immediately.
The 212m-long 48,000gt vessel will travel to Hobart via Gibraltar, Cape Verde Islands (off the western coast of Africa), Cape Town in South Africa, Port Louis in Mauritius, and Fremantle in Western Australia.
TT-Line CEO Chris Carbone said Spirit of Tasmania IV was expected to complete the trip to Australia (Fremantle) in approximately six weeks, weather conditions permitting.
“We expect the vessel will be alongside in Hobart in late August for the final fit-out of items, including Tasmanian-made mattresses and tabletops, cabin stores, and artwork, and to undertake vessel crew training,” he said.
“The training for our crew involves emergency response exercises, passenger muster simulation, firefighting drills, deployment of lifeboats, and the mass evacuation systems.”
The work to develop the new terminal at Devonport for Spirit of Tasmania was well under way, with significant progress in the completion of passenger vehicle areas and freight yards.
With the sister ship Spirit of Tasmania V, having left the RMC Shipyard on 26 June, both ships are now on their way home.
Spirit of Tasmania IV was built by Rauma Marine Constructions in Finland for TT-Line Company Pty Ltd, the operator of the Spirit of Tasmania service across the Bass Strait. She can accommodate up to 1,800 passengers and has 4,098 lane metres of vehicle capcity, making her one of the largest ferries ever built for Australian waters.
Designed for the often rough conditions of the Bass Strait, the vessel features a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it more environmentally friendly than its predecessors. She has 301 cabins, pet-friendly facilities, and a wide range of lounges, dining areas, and entertainment options.
Spirit of Tasmania IV will replace the aging Spirit of Tasmania I, offering increased capacity, comfort, and sustainability for the vital link between Geelong, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania.
Photo by Kieran Lewis
