SeaRoad Tasmania and its majority Tasmanian shareholder Chas Kelly is to be congratulated for investing in new vessels that will provide a massive increase in freight capacity across Bass Strait.
Public statements by SeaRoad Holdings chairman and majority shareholder Chas Kelly confirming the investment this morning are a significant vote of confidence in Tasmania’s economic future.
As of today, the future for the Bass Strait freight and passenger market is looking very positive.
The announcement by SeaRoad follows our decision to ask the TT-Line Board to focus on increasing their passenger numbers rather than expanding into the freight market at the expense of private operators.
I was always confident that there was strong capacity for private sector investment in the Bass Strait freight market to meet growing demand, and today’s announcement has affirmed that.
Greater freight capacity on Bass Strait will help Tasmanian industry to expand, creating more jobs across the state.
The first ‘roll-on roll-off’ vessel SeaRoad has ordered will increase the company’s freight capacity by 50 per cent and will cater for containers, specialised freight and, crucially, trailered freight, which is essential for Tasmanian food exporters such as the fresh fruit and seafood sectors.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
