{
  "id": 17298996,
  "title": "New Bass Strait ferries herald new era, but it has not been plain sailing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/new-bass-strait-ferries-herald-new-era-but-it-has-not-been-plain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T22:28:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-31/new-spirit-of-tasmania-inaugural-passenger-sailings/107326936"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After years of delays and cost overruns, the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries will begin their passenger journeys across Bass Strait later tonight. The Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, replacing the aging Spirits I and II, are scheduled to depart from Devonport and Geelong respectively at 6:45pm. According to the former opposition leader, this project represents the worst infrastructure blunder in Tasmania's history. The new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, boast several upgrades over their predecessors, including increased passenger capacity, more vehicle space, pet-friendly cabins, and room for three times the number of caravans and motorhomes. Despite these improvements, the new ferries will arrive five years later than initially planned, costing $700 million more than originally forecasted, and leaving TT-Line facing significant debt.",
  "summary": "Spirit of Tasmania IV and V will cross Bass Strait with passengers for the first time tonight. But it has been a long and costly journey to get to this point.",
  "key_points": [
    "New Spirit of Tasmania ferries begin passenger journeys across Bass Strait.",
    "Ferries Spirit IV and V replace aging Spirits I and II.",
    "Upgrades include increased capacity, pet-friendly cabins, and space for caravans."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}