SeaRoad’s new charter vessel MV LIEKUT departed Cape Town on 9 March bound for Melbourne and is scheduled to arrive at Station Pier on 26 March.
In preparation for LIEKUT’s arrival - which will service the Bass Strait route - SeaRoad has invested $15million in developing the East Devonport terminal. This includes fendering, berth strengthening, and mooring bollards works, which are currently being completed for the 210-metre-long ship. In Melbourne,$600,000 of fendering relocation, pile restoration and mooring bollards works are also close to completion.
Executive Chairman of SeaRoad, Chas Kelly, said the investment in the charter vessel and port works would provide increased capacity for freight across Bass Strait. SeaRoad’s total lane metre capacity will grow by almost 70% when MV LIEKUT replaces the existing SEAROAD TAMAR.
“We’ve seen a fantastic response from our clients in the lead up to LIEKUT commencing service. More transport options for Tasmanian agriculture, aquaculture and manufacturing industries means more growth opportunities for businesses,” Mr Kelly said.MV LIEKUT will conduct its maiden, non-commercial, voyage from Melbourne on 1 April, arriving in Devonport on 2 April for operational testing.
The ship will then depart Devonport on its first commercial voyage on 5 April (Easter Monday) and travel to Webb Dock, Port Melbourne overnight, arriving on 6 April.
Facebook: @searoadfreight
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Technical data of the RoRo vessel newbuild for SeaRoad:
For further media information or to arrange an interview with Chas Kelly, please contact:
Christina Koullas, CK PR
m +61 425 670 110
About SeaRoad
SeaRoad is an Australian, family-owned business that is Tasmania’s trusted shipping and transport logistics partner, moving goods between Tasmania and mainland Australia.
SeaRoad is a privately-owned, Australian integrated shipping and logistics business specialising in Bass Strait. The company provides a customer-focussed service through purpose-built RoRo vessels servicing the route between Melbourne (Victoria) and Devonport (Tasmania).
SeaRoad’s current two ships operate a dedicated cargo shipping service six days per week. MV Searoad Mersey II, built in 2016, is the first coastal ship in Australia to use LNG fuel and power technology. The modern MV Liekut joined the SeaRoad fleet in April 2021 under a three-year charter agreement. Liekut will be replaced by SeaRoad’s newbuild vessel at the end of 2023.
In addition to its two Bass Strait shipping vessels, SeaRoad owns and operates a large road transport and container fleet as well as cargo-handling equipment, which the business utilises at its various terminals and depots.
SeaRoad has the capability to provide fully integrated ‘door-to-door’ services, incorporating container transport, packing, unpacking, storage, and re-delivery.