Second of two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries arrives in Geelong

The Spirit of Tasmania V has successfully berthed at the Port of Geelong this morning, concluding a comprehensive seven-week maritime transit from Scotland. The arrival of the second of two state-of-the-art vessels marks a pivotal moment in the modernisation of the nation’s premier Bass Strait crossing, signalling a significant capacity boost for regional tourism and logistics.

Operations will shift tomorrow to rigorous gantry testing at the Geelong terminal to ensure seamless integration with existing port infrastructure. Following these technical evaluations, the vessel is slated for a temporary relocation to Station Pier in Melbourne, where final preparations and crew inductions will be conducted ahead of its formal entry into service.

“This fleet renewal serves as a crucial infrastructure anchor, ensuring that the vital link between our island state and the mainland remains resilient against shifting economic tides.”

Local authorities and maritime experts have welcomed the arrival, noting that the enhanced capabilities of the Spirit of Tasmania V will provide much-needed redundancy and reliability for the route. As the commissioning phase progresses, stakeholders remain focused on the long-term benefits of increased freight efficiency and improved passenger amenities.