1 August 2024
Spirit of Tasmania has signed a contract with a partnership comprising national and Tasmanian companies – Spirit Partners – to relocate its Devonport base of operations from its existing terminal to Terminal 3.
BMD Constructions, which delivered Spirit of Tasmania’s Geelong Port facility, will be joined in the partnership by Fitzgerald Constructions Australia (which also worked with BMD in Geelong) and local Tasmanian companies Bridgepro Engineering, Gradco and Vos Constructions.
Spirit of Tasmania Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Dwyer said the new site, at seven hectares, was almost double the size of the company’s current lease.
“Being located on a previously undeveloped parcel of land between SeaRoad Shipping and the Mersey Yacht Club will provide additional operational areas for passenger and freight customers,” he said.
“We are very excited to be reaching this major milestone with the appointment of these highly experienced contractors.
“It will be fantastic to see the major works commence following the completion of significant planning and design work.”
BMD Constructions General Manger VIC/SA/TAS Ivan Fratric said as principal contractor BMD Constructions was focused on delivering the project collaboratively.
“Relationship contracting is at the heart of the way in which we operate and we have a proven track record of delivering exceptional project outcomes through this approach,” he said.
“As a proud family-owned business, we will work with Spirit of Tasmania, our delivery partners and local Tasmanian businesses to leave an enduring legacy through the infrastructure we deliver, employment opportunities we create and local business relationships we form.”
Mr Dwyer said after the site establishment works were completed in August, site earthworks were expected to start in October.
“This will be followed by landside structures in November and marine foundation works from December,” he said.
In addition to the infrastructure planned for construction, TT-Line has placed orders with Cavotec, a world leading port technology company, to supply state of the art technology for the new terminal including:
- Automated Mooring Units (AMUs) to provide more efficient berthing operations.
- A shore power system that will allow the new vessels to be connected to grid electricity while in port, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
