Toll Group has launched the first voyage of two new ships across the Bass Strait marking a boost in freight between mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Tasmanian Achiever II and Victorian Reliance II both set sail on their first voyage across the strait on March 4.
The 700 TEU ships are part of Toll’s $311 million investment into the new service.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison was at the launch as says it’s the biggest private investment in Australian coastal trading fleet in 25 years.
The vessels are “a long-term boost to Bass Strait trade”, Morrison says.
The Bass Strait project included $170 million to build the two ships and $141 million to upgrade terminals, wharves and berthing facilities in Melbourne and Burnie.
Toll managing director Michael Byrne says it will see shipping capacity increase significantly for the route.
“This is the largest-ever investment by a logistics business in the Bass Strait and underpins Toll’s commitment to the Australian domestic market and the Bass Strait trade.
“Toll is the gateway between Tasmania and mainland Australia. We are proud to support the state’s local economy by helping businesses reach interstate and international markets. Equally important, Tasmanian consumers depend upon Toll to import products, particularly retail goods, and we are proud to support this exchange,” Byrne says.
The new ships and facility upgrades will deliver a number of transport improvements.
This includes 40% more capacity for containers and trailers, increased refrigerated freight handling and faster turnaround times due to terminal upgrades at McGaw Wharf and Webb Dock providing more efficient loading and discharge of the ships.
