Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering the infrastructure our growing State needs for now and into the future.
I welcome the first major milestone in the construction of the first of two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels by Finnish Shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) at their shipyard in Rauma.
To mark the beginning of construction, a traditional steel cutting ceremony will take place at the Rauma shipyard on Monday February 28 2022.
This marks the start of the first of two Spirit of Tasmania vessels which will operate between Devonport and Geelong.
The first vessel is expected to finish production at the end of 2023 and the second to follow in 2024.
We have put Tasmania's interests first in every stage of this process and secured an increased share of Tasmanian content in what is the most significant Tasmanian Government infrastructure investment in the past decade.
The contract includes up to $100 million of local content and will mean the two vessels will be delivered well ahead of the 2028 replacement deadline.
Tasmanian businesses are participating in the supply of local goods and services like furniture, carpets, catering equipment and galley, pantries, fire doors, steel doors, machinery including water pumps, expansion tanks, diesel engine equipment, compressors, bilge pumps, platforms and railings, sprinklers and heating systems, as well as CCTV and communications systems.
The steel cutting ceremony will be broadcast online through a live stream at: https://vimeo.com/679982568/c258e4ebfa
