By
Rebecca |
Australia-based operator TT-Line Company is to move Spirit of Tasmania’s ferry operations from Station Pier at the Port Melbourne to Corio Quay, north of Geelong.
Spirit of Tasmania’s relocation to Geelong comes in response to operational issues caused by significant congestion in the Port Melbourne area, which causes delays in embarkation, disembarkation and loading.
“Passenger feedback on this part of our operations has been critical, with passengers citing boarding queues of up to two-and-a-half-hours, which in turn impacts the sailing schedule,” said Michael Grainger, chairman of TT-Line. “It has had an increasingly negative impact on our ability to deliver the level of service required for efficient operations, and highlighted further potential issues with TT-Line’s new Spirit of Tasmania vessels coming online and construction of associated infrastructure.”
The new 12-hectare site at Corio Quay in Geelong will include a purpose-designed passenger terminal building with a passenger vehicle marshalling area for 600 cars, more efficient check-in and security facilities, a cafe, a children’s play area and a pet exercise area. In addition, moving to Geelong will enable TT-Line to expand its freight offering.
“The Corio Quay solution…alleviates all of the current operational constraints that exist at Station Pier,” said Grainger. “A new port base at Geelong is also expected to lead to increased passenger growth that would benefit the Tasmanian tourism industry from secondary markets of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, as well as increased passenger growth from regional Victoria.”