Tasports and leading Australian Bass Strait shipping provider Strait Link have reached a milestone agreement that will allow the operator to continue running services from the Port of Burnie for up to 30 years.
The new agreement will see Strait Link transition to a contemporary lease and pricing model in line with Transports’ current schedule of port charges, supporting future infrastructure investment in the port.
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald says the new 10-year lease agreement, which includes two 10-year options to extend, has been the result of positive negotiations resulting in the signing of a Heads of Agreement commitment earlier this year.
“This long-term lease provides certainty for local workers, industry and regional communities, and reaffirms the Port of Burnie’s position as one of Australia’s most important freight gateways,” Donald says.
As part of the negotiations, TasPorts will undertake a package of significant capital maintenance works, including remediation of the wharf and seawall, maintenance of wharf furniture, fenders and bollards.
“Strait Link is proud to be a critical contributor to jobs and investment in Tasmania, with many of our 1,100 employees living and working in Burnie and the surrounding area,” Strait Link CEO Geoff Gruebner says.
“This Port of Burnie lease agreement ensures reliable freight services between Tasmania and mainland Australia for the long-term, providing stability for our customers, people and commercial partners.”
Strait Link currently operates two purpose-built vessels providing dedicated daily sailings (excluding Sundays) between the Port of Melbourne and Port of Burnie, supported by comprehensive landside logistics services across Tasmania and mainland Australia.
“Strait Link’s dedicated Bass Strait service provides the shipping frequency and reliability that Tasmanian exporters and importers depend on,” Gruebner says.
“Working with TasPorts, we have the opportunity to continue investing in new operational efficiencies and infrastructure improvements to meet the state’s increasing landside and blue water needs.”
The Port of Burnie is Tasmania’s largest cargo port, facilitating over 430 vessel visits and over four million tonnes of freight – including forestry, fuel, and cargo – in the 2024-2025 financial year.
Tasmanian transport and infrastructure minister Kerry Vincent says this new agreement backs in the entire state.
“By securing this vital 30-year agreement, we are working together to move our state forward,” Vincent says.
“This outcome provides certainty for workers, local industry, the wider Burnie community and of course everyone who relies on our freight network here in Tasmania.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Strait Link and TasPorts on reaching this long-term commercial agreement which can only bring significant benefits to Tasmania.”