Spirit of Tasmania I and II to stop sailing on 24 October, with no berth in Tasmania

ABC News reported on 16 October 2026 that, a week out from the final voyage between Devonport and Geelong, it is still not known what will happen to Spirit of Tasmania I and II. TT-Line has said a sale process is underway for the two ships, which ABC said were launched nearly 25 years ago. The company would not say where they would be moored, or what that would cost, if they are not sold by the time Spirit of Tasmania IV and V begin operating.

Chris Carbone, TT-Line’s chief executive, confirmed that Spirit I and II would stop sailing from 24 October. He said a sale process has been underway for some time, with interest in the ships, and ruled out mooring them in the state. “Depending on when the ships are sold will determine where they are stored — there are no berths in Tasmania,” he said.

The two new ferries have been moored in Geelong. Infrastructure and transport minister Kerry Vincent said the government is confident TT-Line will secure a deal to sell Spirits I and II as soon as possible, and that negotiations with brokers are progressing well. He said he would not comment further while negotiations are underway. Asked where I and II would be docked when IV and V come into service at the end of the month, minister Jo Palmer said she was not going to get into hypotheticals, and that there had been a great response to the sale process.

Labor infrastructure spokesperson Anita Dow said the company had claimed buyer interest but had gone quiet on whether that had been followed through, and that the government should give regular updates on the plans for the old ships.