Shipping Bass Strait shipping services both domestic and international markets, as a feeder service via transhipment through the Port of Melbourne (PoM). The majority of Tasmania’s freight is destined for domestic markets. This chapter examines Bass Strait shipping services and examines features, benefits and inefficiencies to users. It also discusses aspects of International Liner shipping services that are relevant to Tasmanian imports and exports. Bass Strait freight rates are also compared against similar international short sea trade ferry services. Bass Strait Shipping Service Providers Three shipping operators Toll-ANL, SeaRoad Shipping and TT-Line provide an overnight RORO – – freight service across Bass Strait between the PoM and Tasmania’s northern ports of Burnie and Devonport. Figure 1 shows Aurecon’s estimate of container market share by volume of TEU for the major shippers in FY 2011/12. Toll is the largest shipping provider with just over half the market share, followed by SeaRoad Shipping and TT-Line. Agility no longer operates their shipping service. Figure 1: Freight Providers Market Share (Source: Aurecon analysis) The RORO vessels used by the operators are well suited for the movement of time sensitive freight. Freight is unloaded within a few hours of arrival, making it possible for goods to leave Tasmania in the evening and reach their mainland destination the next day. The service provided by TT-Line is often referred to as an service due to its quicker travel time, departing Devonport at 7.30pm and ‘express’ arriving in Melbourne at 6am. Each provider operates independently using their own terminals and infrastructure. An overview of the services of the three shipping lines is provided below. TT-Line Observation Comment Two RORO vessels: Spirit of Tasmania I, Spirit of Tasmania II passenger. Vessels and Design Designed for the carriage of passengers (primarily) and freight traffic. 234 car equivalent spaces and 175 TEU of trailer lanes.
Shipping Bass Strait shipping services both domestic and international markets, as a feeder service via transhipment through the Port of Melbourne (PoM). The majority of Tasmania’s freight is destined for domestic markets. This chapter examines Bass Strait shipping services and examines features, benefits and inefficiencies to users. It also discusses aspects of International Liner shipping services that are relevant to Tasmanian imports and exports. Bass Strait freight rates are also compared against similar international short sea trade ferry services. Bass Strait Shipping Service Providers Three shipping operators – Toll-ANL, SeaRoad Shipping and TT-Line – provide an overnight RORO freight service across Bass Strait between the PoM and Tasmania’s northern ports of Burnie and Devonport. Figure 1 shows Aurecon’s estimate of container market share by volume of TEU for the major shippers in FY 2011/12. Toll is the largest shipping provider with just over half the market share, followed by SeaRoad Shipping and TT-Line. Agility no longer operates their shipping service. Figure 1: Freight Providers Market Share (Source: Aurecon analysis) The RORO vessels used by the operators are well suited for the movement of time sensitive freight. Freight is unloaded within a few hours of arrival, making it possible for goods to leave Tasmania in the evening and reach their mainland destination the next day. The service provided by TT-Line is often referred to as an ‘express’ service due to its quicker travel time, departing Devonport at 7.30pm and arriving in Melbourne at 6am. Each provider operates independently using their own terminals and infrastructure. An overview of the services of the three shipping lines is provided below. TT-Line Observation Comment Vessels and Design Two RORO vessels: Spirit of Tasmania I, Spirit of Tasmania II passenger. Designed for the carriage of passengers (primarily) and freight traffic. 234 car equivalent spaces and 175 TEU of trailer lanes.