In a surprising turn of events, the Spirit of Tasmania IV, a colossal 212m ferry, will soon find itself docked at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh. Built in Finland, this ship needs to be relocated before winter's ice sets in, as it's too large for existing facilities in Australia’s Devonport. With its arrival delayed until late 2026 or 2027 as new berths are still under construction, this situation has sparked outrage among Australian citizens, leading many to label it a "ferries fiasco."
Media have criticized the infrastructure failures, calling it one of Tasmania’s biggest political scandals in decades. Resignations from top officials, including infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson, highlight the depth of the issues. TT-Line's chief executive, Bernard Dwyer, explained that safeguarding the vessel from extreme cold necessitates this move.
However, the prospect of leasing out the ship remains unclear due to the need for further fittings. Meanwhile, Scotland's own ferry challenges echo this tale, with large vessels stuck in limbo due to stalled infrastructure upgrades. While the Spirit of Tasmania IV seeks a temporary berth in Edinburgh, questions about its future and Tasmania's ferry service loom large.
