Work at Devonport’s Berth 3 had reached a significant infrastructure milestone with the arrival of a custom-built gantry designed to support the next generation of Bass Strait shipping.
Standing 50 metres tall, the gantry is a critical piece of infrastructure that will allow vehicles and freight to board and disembark new vessels efficiently. It is significantly larger than the existing Spirit of Tasmania infrastructure and has been purpose-built to handle higher volumes and larger ship configurations.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the delivery marked an important step forward in the project’s construction phase.
“Today marks a big milestone towards the delivery of Berth 3,” Rockliff says. “This prefabricated gantry is pivotal to the completion of Berth 3.”
Rockliff says installation of the gantry would take place over the coming months while work continues across the terminal precinct, including freight and vehicle staging areas.
“This next phase of construction is supporting local jobs and our economy, as we deliver this important project for Tasmania,” he says.
The Berth 3 redevelopment is a cornerstone project for Tasmania’s freight task, designed to support the introduction of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels and increase throughput across Bass Strait.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Kerry Vincent says the project remains on track to be completed in October 2026, with site activity accelerating.
“We’re on track,” Vincent says. “This site is buzzing, and with the asphalt down, streetlights up and the freight office set up, things are moving at a rate of knots.”
Vincent says the upgraded berth would deliver broader economic benefits by strengthening Tasmania’s connectivity.
“These new ships will bring more tourists, more business and more freight to and from the entire state – it’s great news for Tasmania,” she says.
TT-Line chair Ken Kanofski says the arrival of the gantry significantly reduced project risk and reinforced confidence in delivery timeframes.
“It reduces the risk for the project substantially,” Kanofski says. “With the arrival of this important piece of infrastructure, TT-Line is confident we are on track for the new vessels to commence service on Bass Strait in October this year, and that the project will be completed within the previously announced budget amount of $493 million.”
Once complete, Berth 3 will play a central role in supporting Tasmania’s freight, tourism, and supply chain resilience by enabling more efficient movement of vehicles and goods between Tasmania and the mainland.