UK firm recognised for successful US$20 million upgrades on TT-Line Australia-based ferries
By
Rebecca Gibson |
UK-based marine interior refit firm Trimline has been awarded the SHIPPAX Award for its US$20 million turnkey refurbishment of TT-Line’s two Spirit of Tasmania ferries in 2015.
Completed last September, the projects involved more than 300 people from both Trimline’s UK headquarters and local Tasmanian contractors and subcontractors. The refits were largely carried out while the identical ferries were in service on the Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania, Australia.
Renovation work included a complete remodelling and upgrade of the public areas and four passenger decks, including 222 standard and deluxe cabins, onboard both vessels. Each vessel was also fitted with a new self-service restaurant named Tasmanian Market Kitchen; a ‘grab and go’ shop named The Pantry; three bars; an upgraded tourist information hub; and astroturf flooring, deck chairs and lounges on the upper decks. New entertainment options include an arcade-style teen zone and kids play area, two new 48-seat cinemas and 28 new flat-screen TVs.
SHIPPAX awarded Trimline for its ‘impressive and successful’ refurbishment of the ships’ accommodation.
“She is that rare ship that gets it all right,” said SHIPPAX. “Rather than trying to dazzle by pushing the technological envelope, she goes back to basics, drawing on the simple pleasures of cruising – reading, playing games, socialising with friends – to create a ship we didn’t know we needed, but which we sorely missed.”
Gary Oliver, Trimline chairman, collected the award alongside colleague Neil Quinlan at the SHIPPAX Awards.
“Completing projects like this in and around Europe would have been difficult enough, but to successfully complete them halfway around the world speaks volumes for the team we have here,” said Oliver. “We were also lucky to be able to build a very close relationship with the designer and owner which meant that problems were dealt with quickly and efficiently. The award underlines our ethos of planning, dedication and high quality workmanship resulting in something truly wonderful, which we are all extremely proud of.”