By
Laura Hyde |
Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) and Tasmania-based TT-Line Company have floated out Spirit of Tasmania V at the Rauma shipyard in Finland.
The vessel was christened at the shipyard by godmother Barbara Baker, the 29th Governor of Tasmania. RMC will now begin work on the final stage of construction, the interior outfitting, which it hopes to complete by spring 2025.
Barbara Baker at the christening ceremony
Spirit of Tasmania V is the second of two car and passenger ferries TT-Line Company has ordered from the shipyard for its Spirit of Tasmania brand. The first vessel, Spirit of Tasmania IV, was floated out last October and the shipyard aims to complete work by August 2024.
Once in service, both vessels will operate on the Bass Strait between Geelong in Victoria, Australia, and Devonport in Tasmania. The new vessels will replace two sister ships, which were built in Finland in the 1990s.
“The Spirit of Tasmania vessels are specifically designed for this route and its demanding sea conditions,” said Mika Nieminen, CEO and president of RMC. “Our shipyard is known for our ability and expertise to customise ships to meet the high standards and quality requirements of our clients. I am extremely proud of the progress in the construction of these vessels. The project we are delivering for TT-Line Company is also nationally significant, as it is one of the largest individual export deals between Australia and Finland.”
Spirit of Tasmania V was floated out on 19 July