Upgrade to Welcome Bigger Cruise Ships

An upgrade of Hobart port infrastructure has finished in time for the arrival of the biggest cruise liner ever to come to Tasmania.

TasPorts has completed a project to enhance and upgrade the capacity of the Macquarie 2 and 3 wharves. The $2.9 million project included seabed maintenance (to increase berth depth required by the larger cruise vessels) and the installation of new fenders and bollards.

The work means the Port of Hobart will be able to accommodate a whole new class of cruise vessels – around twice the length of the Spirits of Tasmania.

The work precedes the arrival in port of the biggest cruise liner ever to come to Hobart – the Ovation of the Seas. She’s booked to arrive on 13 December carrying 4,180 passengers and 1,500 crew. She would not have been able to berth in Hobart without this work being done.

T21, the Tasmanian Visitor Economy Strategy recognises that cruise ships present Tasmania with a long-term opportunity through increased short excursions, overnight stays, fly-cruise connections and seasonally-based port and ship provisioning solutions.

TasPorts is also nearing completion of a $1.5 million berthing and mooring dolphin at the Port of Burnie and the fabrication of a passenger reception facility ahead of what’s expected to be a record-breaking cruise season.

A total of 95 cruise ships are booked for the 2016/17 season (up from 56 in 2015-16) and Tasmania’s ports are now prepared for the larger vessel types and greater passenger numbers.
Will Hodgman, Premier Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events