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BusinessQuiet 12d · day 14

Spirit of Tasmania V completes maiden voyage after years of delays

New ferry arrives in Devonport as officials celebrate end to troubled project that faced cost blowouts and construction setbacks.

newest coverage 11d agosummary written 12d ago7 pieces Google NewsNewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • Spirit of Tasmania V completed its maiden passenger voyage from Geelong to Devonport on October 31–November 1, 2026, after years of construction delays and cost blowouts by builder Rauma Marine Constructions.
  • Officials including Premier Rockliff and Transport Minister Vincent presented the arrival as a turning point for a ferry brand that has faced persistent negative headlines.
  • The crossing occurred in calm conditions with a mix of passengers including families, tourists, and long-time ferry enthusiasts aboard to mark the occasion.

“We've been all up Queensland, three and a half months on the road, and now we're heading home.”

Brian Munday, Passenger · ABC Australia ↗

Jeremy RockliffJeremy Rockliff Tasmanian PremierKerry VincentKerry Vincent Tasmanian Transport MinisterArto Haapea Finnish Ambassador to AustraliaRauma Marine Constructions Builder of new Spirit of Tasmania ferries

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

Peak 3 pieces in 4h at Oct 31, 6 PM; 7 pieces over 14 days (5 articles · 2 posts) Oct 30, 6 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 30, 10 PM — quietOct 31, 2 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Oct 31, 6 AM — quietOct 31, 10 AM — quietOct 31, 2 PM — quietOct 31, 6 PM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Google News 1, Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Oct 31, 10 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 5 AM — quietNov 1, 9 AM — quietNov 1, 1 PM — quietNov 1, 5 PM — quietNov 1, 9 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Nov 2, 1 AM — quietNov 2, 5 AM — quietNov 2, 9 AM — quietNov 2, 1 PM — quietNov 2, 5 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 5 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 5 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 1 AM — quietNov 4, 5 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — quietNov 4, 5 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 5 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 5 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 5 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 5 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietNov 7, 1 AM — quietNov 7, 5 AM — quietNov 7, 9 AM — quietNov 7, 1 PM — quietNov 7, 5 PM — quietNov 7, 9 PM — quietNov 8, 1 AM — quietNov 8, 5 AM — quietNov 8, 9 AM — quietNov 8, 1 PM — quietNov 8, 5 PM — quietNov 8, 9 PM — quietNov 9, 1 AM — quietNov 9, 5 AM — quietNov 9, 9 AM — quietNov 9, 1 PM — quietNov 9, 5 PM — quietNov 9, 9 PM — quietNov 10, 1 AM — quietNov 10, 5 AM — quietNov 10, 9 AM — quietNov 10, 1 PM — quietNov 10, 5 PM — quietNov 10, 9 PM — quietNov 11, 1 AM — quietNov 11, 5 AM — quietNov 11, 9 AM — quietNov 11, 1 PM — quietNov 11, 5 PM — quietNov 11, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 1 PM — quietToday, 5 PM — quietToday, 9 PM — quiet 1
Oct 31Nov 2Nov 4Nov 6Nov 8Nov 10now · 10:05 PM ET
  1. background

    Rockliff and Vincent declare voyage a historic success — Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent addressed media as the sun rose, framing the crossing as an iconic moment for the ferry brand after years in negative headlines.

  2. background

    Spirit of Tasmania V arrives in Devonport, completing maiden crossing — The vessel arrived in Devonport at 6:19am after an approximately 12-hour crossing from Geelong. Bass Strait conditions were calm, and the ship carried a mix of passengers including families, tourists, and ferry enthusiasts.

  3. 1
    “We've stayed the course, and we've got it done.”
    — Jeremy Rockliff, Tasmanian Premier · source
    1. 4 outlets New Spirit of Tasmania IV and V ships begin passenger sailings tonight

      first by Pulse Tasmania, 13d ago · also The Mercury, ABC Australia, ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

      2 more headlines
    • timrichards@aus.social

      Departs from the wrong city in Victoria, otherwise it looks good. --- Passengers give verdicts on new Spirit of Tasmania after inaugural ferry voyage https://www. abc.net.au/news/2026-11-01/pas sengers-give-their-verdicts-on-new-spirit-of-tasmania/107333176 # ferry # tasmania # victoria

      timrichards@aus.socialMastodon11d agoview on Mastodon ↗