Third Superfast to Tasmania

Sydney Morning Herald

 

Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon announced the purchase of Superfast II from Greek operator Attica Enterprises. This will be the third Superfast ferry transferred to the TT-Line fleet. The all-in cost for purchase, refit, dock modifications and delivery is reportedly $AUD 105 million.

 

The Tasmanian Government is gambling that tourists would prefer to sail from Sydney to the island state with their car, rather than fly. The fast ferry will run three times a week from Sydney to Devonport, taking a little more than 20 hours. Launched yesterday by the Tasmanian Premier, Jim Bacon, and the NSW Premier, Bob Carr, one-way fares will start from $230. Cars will be transported with their owners free.

 

The drive to attract more people from Australia's largest city is an attempt to build on the success of the new two-ship service between Melbourne and Devonport. After only eight months' service, the Tasmanian Government's TT-Line took its 500,000th booking.

 

Mr Bacon said the Sydney-Devonport ferry, Spirit of Tasmania III, which will begin sailing in January, would meet a forecast 23 per cent increase in domestic visitors to the state over the next four years, compared with a predicted national increase of 1.7 per cent.