‘Too big’ Australian ferry which doesn’t fit docks down under berthed in Scotland

A brand new Australian ferry has been rerouted to Scotland after it was deemed to be too big for docks down under.

The ship should be sailing to Tasmania to take up its duties in the Bass Strait, but it has docked at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh instead.

Named the Spirit of Tasmania 4, the vessel is one of two ships ordered from a yard in Finland to replace ageing stock.

The decision was made to dock the ship in Scotland for safekeeping after it was decided wintry conditions in the Nordic region would damage the vessel.

The ship arrived in the Forth on Tuesday and was carefully steered into place, where it could remain until 2026.

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If the ship does end up staying in Scotland until then, official reports in Australia say the port could send a bill of around £12m.

The decision to move the ship to Scotland caused a political scandal in Tasmania.

Tasmanian Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said the vessel was safely docked at Leith after the voyage during which extensive pre-planned sea trials were conducted with a surveyor on board.

“The sea trials tested the vessel’s systems, performance and capabilities under real-world conditions before heading to Scotland,” Minister Abetz said.

TT-Line, the shipping company involved with the vessel, secured the berth for a minimum of 30 days at an average weekly cost of $47,534 AUD (£24,000), it was revealed.

“I would note that this figure is significantly – seven times – less than the $280,000 peddled by the Leader of the Opposition, Dean Winter, who has been spreading misinformation as part of his fear campaign,” Minister Abetz said.

“It is prudent to relocate the ship to Leith whilst leasing options are explored.

“To have it relocated to Tasmania whilst these options are explored would be far more expensive and waste a significant amount of taxpayer money.”

Luke Edmunds, Shadow Minister for Finance, Tasmanian Labor said: “After being embarrassed by the Spirits fiasco, the Premier has said he would be open and transparent with Tasmanians.

“Actions speak louder than words.

“The Premier must have some idea about the cost of storing Spirit IV in Scotland by now, and after keeping Tasmanians in the dark, its time he and his government comes clean.”

A spokesperson from Forth Ports (owners of The Port of Leith) said: “The Spirit of Tasmania arrived into the Port of Leith today and she will stay here for a period of time.

“The port regularly provides berthing arrangements for vessels requiring temporary layup and we welcome the Spirit of Tasmania and her crew to Leith.”

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