First sod turned for Spirit of Tasmania terminal

Work has formally commenced on the new Spirit of Tasmania passenger terminal in Devonport.

The terminal – that will be built with locally sourced timber – is scheduled to be operational in time for the first sailing of the new vessels from Devonport to Geelong in October 2026.

Vos Construction and Joinery was awarded the contract for the work that includes construction of the main terminal building, car parking, landscaping and a wash bay.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff turned the first sod to mark the beginning of construction on the new terminal. 

“It is fantastic to mark the beginning of construction on the new Spirit of Tasmania passenger terminal in Devonport,” Premier Rockliff said.

“The Berth 3 project is progressing well, with the site a hive of activity in recent months.

“Tasmania is entering a new era of opportunity.

"The next phase of construction is supporting local jobs and our economy, as we deliver this project for Tasmania.”

VOS Construction and Joinery CEO Kurt Jones said Vos had already undertaken work on the TT Line site, including an extensive in-situ concrete retaining wall, and was well underway with the ancillary buildings package for the site.

“It is important for Spirit of Tasmania to support local businesses to deliver employment opportunities, particularly for young people,” he said.

"Across the life of the Devonport project, Vos and its subcontractors will have approximately 100 to 120 people involved with the work, both on-site and at the workshop.

"We are a major employer of apprentices on the north-west coast – up to 20 per cent of the workforce at the site will be an apprentice.

“These projects provide confidence to our industry, and it allows us to keep employing apprentices, and investing in our people which flows on to benefit the wider building and construction industry in Tasmania."

Spirit of Tasmania CEO Chris Carbone said orders had been placed and off-site manufacturing of the steel and timber frames were well underway for the terminal building.

“All civil and earthworks have been completed by BMD & GradCo, with Vos now preparing the foundations and ground floor slab to be installed by the end of January," he said. 

Mr Carbone said the broader berth project was tracking very well and there was a high degree of confidence in the October 2026 completion date.

“As previously announced, the gantry in China has completed a successful trial assembly and is now finalising the painting process and being prepared for shipping at the end of December,” he said.

“We are expecting the gantry to arrive into Australia in the last week of January 2026 which will be ahead of schedule.

“All marine piling is now complete and works are focused on the concrete structures that will form the bases to the gantry and fenders.

“The shore ramp has seen the third bridge deck installed with the two remaining bridge decks scheduled to begin in the new year.

“All freight yards are nearing completion and with the relocation of the biosecurity facility to Wright Street, attention is now focused on the passenger vehicle entry, parking and staging areas.”