Ordered to depart Edinburgh, the Australian 'fiasco' ferry must make a swift exit.

Australian 'fiasco' ferry told to set sail from Edinburgh Image source, TT-Line Image caption, Spirit of Tasmania IV arrived in Leith from a Finnish shipyard as a precaution against potential damage from pack ice Published: 2nd March 2025 A brand new Australian ferry is being relocated from Edinburgh to its intended destination halfway across the globe after negotiations for a lease fell through, resulting in what has been dubbed a "fiasco." The Spirit of Tasmania IV has been stationed in Leith for three months due to infrastructure issues in the Tasmanian city of Devonport. Operator TT-Line had been in talks with a broker to secure a lease for the ferry, but unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached. As a result, the Tasmanian government has instructed the ferry operator to transport the 212m-long vessel to the island. The ship, constructed at a Finnish shipyard, was brought to Scotland before winter as a precautionary measure to prevent potential damage from pack ice. However, a new berth to accommodate both the Spirit of Tasmania IV and sister vessel Spirit of Tasmania V may not be ready until late 2026 or 2027, sparking a significant political dispute in Australia. The ferry was intended to operate in the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Victoria, with hopes of revolutionizing the island's tourism industry. Despite being hailed as a "game-changer," the vessel has faced construction delays, escalating costs, and challenges in upgrading existing berths - echoing the ferry woes experienced in Scotland. In August, Tasmania's infrastructure minister, Michael Ferguson, and TT-Line's chairman resigned amidst the controversy. The construction cost of the two LNG dual-fuel ships has increased by A$94m (£47.5m) since the contract was signed in 2021. The estimated cost of upgrading infrastructure in Devonport has also soared, indicating severe mismanagement of the project. TT-Line was reportedly paying A$47,534 (£24,031) weekly to berth the ship at Forth Ports, based on figures released by the Tasmanian government. Recent reports suggested the possibility of the ferry being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in Scotland, a claim promptly refuted by the Scottish government. Tasmania's transport minister, Eric Abetz, stated that the government had pursued a lease agreement to benefit Tasmanians economically. The opposition party, Tasmanian Labor, welcomed the government's change in decision but criticized the delay and expenses incurred during the process. In conclusion, the ferry saga has been labeled the "biggest infrastructure stuff-up" in Tasmania's history, with calls for a more transparent and efficient approach moving forward. Tags: edinburgh, ferries, leith, tasmania, australia