Spirit of Tasmania IV is a roll-on/roll-off ferry built by Rauma Marine Constructions in Rauma, Finland. It is to be operated by Spirit of Tasmania in Australia on the Bass Strait ferry route between Geelong, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania.
History
In April 2021 Rauma signed a contract with Spirit of Tasmania for the construction of two ships, the Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V.for two new car and passenger ferries for TT-Line strengthens RMC’s order book significantly Rauma Marine Constructions 14 April 2021Tasmania Orders Finnish Ferries After Studying Domestic Construction The Maritime Executive 14 April 2021Two ordered from Rauma Ships Monthly June 2021 page 6 Construction commenced on 28 February 2022 with a steel-cutting ceremony.Construction on second new Spirit of Tasmania ferry under way Geelong Times 19 January 2023 The keel was laid on 28 October 2022.Keel laying of Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry celebrated in Rauma shipyard Rauma Marine Constructions 28 October 2022 It will be the first ferry on the Bass Strait route to use LNG fuel.Construction of the world’s southernmost LNG-powered car and passenger ferry started at Rauma, Finland Rauma Marine Constructions 28 February 2022Keel laying of Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry celebrated in Rauma shipyard Helsinki Times 28 February 2022 The two ferries will replace the Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II.
The ship commenced sea trials in June 2024. In September 2024, it was handed over by Rauma to Spirit of Tasmania.TT-Line takes ownership of Spirit of Tasmania IV Spirit of Tasmania 13 September 2024Builder hands over Spirit of Tasmania IV Daily Cargo News 13 September 2024 The ferry was originally due to arrive in Tasmania in late 2024. Due to Finland's cold winters and pack ice, in November 2024 it moved to the Port of Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland for ongoing storage while attempts were made to lease it to another operator in the interim.Australian ferries fiasco ship to be mothballed in Edinburgh BBC News 30 October 2024New Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry arrives in its temporary port in Scotland as home port of Devonport years away from being ready ABC News 4 December 2024Scottish lay-up for Australian ferry Ships Monthly January 2025 page 11Spirit of Tasmania operator lists challenges in leasing out new vessel as it explores European markets ABC News 5 December 2024
Berthing costs in Leith were reported to be about 47,000 per week.
On 26 May 2025 Spirit IV was due to leave for Tasmania, but both new vessels had problems with their liquefied natural gas systems, and could not leave until the issue was rectified.
It departed Leith in June 2025 arriving in Hobart in August for final fitting out.Tasmania Ferry Arrives Afloat issue 425 September 2025 page 32
Wharf issues Because of delays around the construction of an upgraded wharf at Devonport, the vessel is not scheduled to enter service until October 2026.Labor concerned new Spirit ferries may be leased out until Tasmanian berth is ready Pulse Tasmania 16 October 2024 The wharfs' construction cost was $90 million, but by 2025 had been revised up to $495 million.
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