The Tasmanian Government has been working closely with the King Island Council and Island community to ensure the continuation of essential shipping services to the Island following the anticipated withdrawal of the current weekly SeaRoad Mersey service to the Port of Grassy in late 2016.
From tomorrow, the Government will be seeking proposals from suitably qualified and experienced shipping operators or consortia to establish and operate a long term commercially sustainable King Island Shipping Service.
The Government’s desired outcome is the delivery of a shipping service that meets the needs of the King Island community, providing reliability and continuity of service and allowing for the Island’s businesses to grow.
Proponents will be invited to submit proposals to meet this outcome. Proposals will be assessed by an evaluation panel including representatives from the Department of State Growth and the King Island Council, based on three broad criteria – quality, price and reliability.
The Government’s clear preference is for:
If a suitable proposal is received, the Government will work with the proponent towards the establishment of a sustainable King Island shipping service. This may entail some form of Government assistance through facilitation or support. However, the Government does not envisage providing an ongoing operating subsidy.
The Request for Proposal will be issued on Saturday 28 November 2015 with a closing date of Friday 29 January 2016.