I am pleased to announce that the people of King Island will receive uninterrupted shipping services following the conclusion of SeaRoad’s immediate interim service, which was negotiated with the Tasmanian Government in early January.
State-owned company TasPorts will deliver a reliable shipping service in a seamless transition to begin immediately after the final sailing of the SeaRoad Mersey I on the 2nd of April.
The service will run at least weekly between Devonport and Grassy.
TasPorts management team has strong skills, experience and systems to deliver a reliable freight shipping service and I am confident that this certainty of service will be welcomed by the King Island community.
This action by TasPorts has become necessary following the failure of the commercial market to offer a reliable and affordable shipping service at this point in time.
Island communities are reliant on regular, sustainable shipping services and I am pleased that the Hodgman Liberal Government has delivered on its commitment to the Island community.
TasPorts has secured an appropriate vessel for the freight task and I expect that details will be made available shortly.
I look forward to travelling to the Island this week and meeting key stakeholders. TasPorts representatives will also be on the Island this week for talks with customers and producers.
I thank the Island community, particularly Mayor Duncan McFie and Councillors, for their support and wise advice through what has been an uncertain time for King Island.
Details around the service, including sailings dates, trans-shipment matters and livestock arrangements will be discussed with customers over the days and weeks ahead.
I stress this is only a medium term solution. In the longer term, the Tasmanian Government remains committed to the establishment of a triangular service between King Island, Tasmania and Victoria.