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The newest Spirit of Tasmania ferry is making its way across the North Sea to its temporary home in Scotland, but taxpayers are yet to learn how much it will cost to remain there.
Spirit IV, which left its Finnish shipbuilder on Saturday, was originally meant to be in Tasmania by now as part of a program to replace the two aging vessels that currently operate in Bass Strait.
But an unresolved infrastructure debacle at Devonport means Spirit IV, and its yet-to-be-completed sister ship, Spirit V, are unlikely to make it to Tasmania before early 2027.
The route of the new Spirit of Tasmania IV vessel from Finland to the UK as of 10am on Monday. (Supplied: VesselFinder)
In the meantime, the first of the new vessels is sailing to the Edinburgh port of Leith, where Tasmania's government-owned ferry operator TT-Line has secured a berth for at least 30 days.
It is likely to remain there while TT-Line investigates options to lease Spirit IV, and potentially Spirit V, to an international operator until their port facilities at Devonport are completed.
TT-Line acting chief executive Kym Sayers said berthing costs at Leith were commercial-in-confidence and yet to be finalised.
"A formal agreement will be signed once ancillary services for the vessel's time in Leith have been negotiated and agreed to," she said.
"This will occur after the vessel has berthed [there] on Tuesday."
In a report released in October, the Department of State Growth said TT-Line had estimated the cost of storing both ferries at Leith until mid-2026 would be approximately $24.3 million.
On Sunday, Labor called on the Tasmanian government to be transparent about the costs.
"After being embarrassed by the Spirits fiasco, the premier has said he would be open and transparent with Tasmanians," Labor finance spokesman Luke Edmunds said.
"The premier must have some idea about the cost of storing Spirit IV in Scotland by now, and after keeping Tasmanians in the dark, it's time he and his government comes clean."
On Monday, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said details about the cost of berthing Spirit IV at Leith would be released publicly once finalised.
"A large part of the discussion has already occurred, of course," Mr Rockliff said.
"But again, we're waiting on the final parts of the agreement … and then, of course, everyone will be informed of the costs associated with that agreement.
"But indeed, what we're trying to do, endeavouring to do, is have our ships leased as soon as possible to get the best value for taxpayer dollars."
Ferries to get Tasmanian fit-out for mattresses, tabletops
The journey from the Finnish town of Rauma to Leith was expected to take 3.5 days to complete.
Ship enthusiasts have been charting its journey, including taking photos of its departure and capturing webcam vision as it made its way under the Great Belt Bridge (Storebælt Bridge) in Denmark.
TT-Line chief executive Kym Sayers said the trip provided an opportunity to trial the vessel in open waters.
"During this journey, extensive sea trials will be conducted to test the vessel's systems, performance and capabilities under real-world conditions," Ms Sayers said.
"These trials are a vital step in confirming Spirit IV's quality and readiness as we prepare her for future operations."
The Spirit of Tasmania IV on Friday, seen near the port of Rauma, Finland. (Supplied: marinetraffic/Jani Tammisto)
The two new ferries were originally expected to cost $850 million, but that was before an $81 million cost blowout revealed in May, as well as additional costs.
Ms Sayers said the shipbuilder, RMC, was contractually obligated to include up to $100 million of "local content", much of which has already been installed.
"Prior to the vessel commencing operations on Bass Strait, a final fit-out of locally produced mattresses, tabletops and artwork will be undertaken in Hobart, along with training of staff," she said.
"Importantly, the local contract provisions have not changed and all contracts will be honoured."
The upgrades to 3 East Berth for the new Spirit ferries has also been delayed, adding to the government's headaches. (Supplied: TasPorts)
Spirit V nearing completion in Finland
TT-Line said Spirit V, which is still in Finland and under the control of RMC, is about 86 per cent complete.
The vessel was battered by hurricane-force winds last month, causing it to come loose from its outfitting quay.
No significant damage was reported, but RMC is expected to dry-dock the vessel for further inspections in the future.
"Diver checks of the vessel's hull after the weather incident at Rauma show there was no hull breach," a TT-Line spokesperson said.
"The vessel is yet to be dry-docked."
TT-Line is expected to face further scrutiny over its handling of the Spirits saga when it appears before a parliamentary committee on Thursday.
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