Gantry Taking Shape as Devonport Readies for Ferries

A 700-tonne gantry is being assembled at Tasmania’s Devonport as work to ready the facility for two new ferries continues.

The gantry is part of the $493-million Spirt of Tasmania terminal project at the port’s Berth 3.

The gantry will stand 32m above sea level and span 38m wide. It will serve as the main vehicle loading ramp for the two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, connecting the ships to a concrete shore ramp.

The first two sections have been installed and the remaining five sections are expected to be assembled by mid-year.

The new, larger ferries, Spirit of Tasmania IV and V will replace the current ferries on the route across Bass Strait between Devenport and Geelong.

The Spirit of Tasmania V has now left Scotland on a seven‑week voyage to Australia after being built in Rauma, Finland, where both vessels were built.

The journey follows in the wake of Spirit IV, which arrived in Australia in August for final fittings.

The ferries were expected to sail for Australia in late 2024—IV was then expected to sail after the northern winter in May of last year but issues with both vessels’ liquified natural gas systems delayed the voyage.

Delays to the upgrading of the Devonport facility, originally forecast to cost $90 million, mean the vessels are not due to enter service until October of this year.

▲ A rendering of the completed Berth 3, which will be the terminal for the trans-Bass-Strait ferry service at Devonport.

Spirit V had been in Leith since late last year, while Spirit IV is anchored at Geelong, at a cost of almost $900,000 a month.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the project would deliver a 40 per cent increase in passenger and freight capacity.

He said the structure would be the gateway to freight, passengers, visitors and livestock in and out of the state.

The two new ferries will be bought to Devonport once the gantry is completed for testing ahead of entering service.