Finland's RMC launches LNG-fuelled ferry Spirit of Tasmania V

The second of the new LNG-fuelled Bass Strait car and passenger (RoPax) ferry, Spirit of Tasmania V, has been officially named and launched at a ceremony at Rauma Marine Constructions’ (RMC) yards in Finland, Australia-based Spirit of Tasmania said on July 22.

Spirit of Tasmania V is the second of two new vessels ordered by Spirit of Tasmania to replace the existing Bass Strait passenger, vehicle, and freight ships. The launch ceremony took place on July 19.

The new vessels boast an overall length of 212 meters and a beam of 31 meters, compared to the current ships, which are 194.33 meters long with a beam of 25 meters.

The car and passenger ferries built by RMC will operate between Geelong and Devonport on Australia’s Bass Strait, a route known for its challenging sea conditions. The vessels will replace their sister ships built in Finland in the 1990s.

The first of the new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV, will be delivered this August, while Spirit of Tasmania V is expected to be completed next spring, RMC stated in a separate announcement.