Australian 'fiasco' ferry leaves Edinburgh after months docked in Forth
An Australian ferry that was docked for months in Edinburgh has finally set sail from the capital.
On Thursday morning, June 19, the Spirit of Tasmania IV ship was spotted leaving Leith docks, reports Edinburgh Live.
In December it was reported how the ship was set to be berthed in Edinburgh until next year, after it was discovered to be too big for its intended ports Down Under.
Operator TT-Line confirmed it had been engaging with a broker to lease the ferry, although an agreement was not reached.
The Tasmanian government then ordered the operator to relocate the 212-metre vessel. It was initially moved to Scotland after fears it could be damaged by pack ice.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The situation sparked a political row in Australia after it was feared a new berth to accommodate the shop, and it's sister vessel Spirit of Tasmania V, may not be ready until late 2026 or 2027.
The new Spirit of Tasmania ships have a gross tonnage of 48,000 and have the capacity to hold 1,800 passengers. The vessel is home to 301 new cabins, 118 standard recliners and 47 business recliners.
Tasmania's infrastructure minister, Michael Ferguson, and the chairman of ferry operator TT-Line, which is state-owned, resigned due to the controversy in August.
TT-Line was paying A$47,534 (£24,031) per week to berth the ship at Forth Ports, according to figures published by the Tasmanian government.
In March it was reported there was a possibility of the ferry being used to house Ukrainian refugees in Scotland.
However the Scottish government quickly dismissed this saying: "This is not true and we have no plans to lease this or any other vessel for this purpose."
Tasmania's transport minister Eric Abetz said that the government had done all it could to secure a lease that would benefit Tasmanians.
He said: "We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this.
"Previous similar leases provided more than €50m (£41.2m) to vessel owners, and it was prudent that we sought similar arrangements for Tasmanian taxpayers.
"The relentless negativity is hurting the state's economic opportunities, and it's time to move forward together."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
The Scottish Borders village that was once called 'most beautiful' by Walter Scott
The legendary writer also described it as Scotland's "most romantic" settlement. Scotland is home to countless picturesque and peaceful towns that often fly under the radar. If you are looking for a quiet staycation, these make for a great destination. If you are stuck on where to head for a day out, there is one Scottish Borders town that is definitely a hidden gem. The settlement is so pretty that it was even once named the best-looking town in Scotland by a legendary writer. As previously reported by the Daily Record, Kelso was described as the "most beautiful, if not the most romantic town in Scotland" by legendary Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott is one of Scotland's most prolific novelists, poets, and historians—known for works such as Ivanhoe and Rob Roy. Nestled at the junction of the rivers Tweed and Teviot, Kelso is ideal for a quiet retreat. When looking at the town's many beauty spots and historic attractions, it is easy to see why Walter Scott heaped praise upon it. At the centre of Kelso is The Square, which was once a bustling market place and the hub of the town dating back to the Middle Ages. Claimed to be the largest in Scotland, the square is surrounded by impressive Georgian and Victorian buildings. Today, visitors to Kelso will find a range of charming and quirky independent businesses around the historic town square. At its centre is the Bull Ring, where bulls would have been tethered during cattle markets. Another of the most picturesque spots in Kelso is the ruins of Kelso Abbey. While the site is currently closed due to high level masonry inspections, it provides a spectacular and historic backdrop. Kelso Abbey dates back to the 12th century, and was once one of the country's biggest and richest religious houses. According to Historic Environment Scotland, what remains of the church is "one of the most spectacular architectural achievements in medieval Scotland". Elsewhere, visitors to Kelso should make time to head to Floors Castle. The castle, situated just out of town within idyllic parkland overlooking the River Tweed, is Scotland's biggest inhabited house. Dating back to the 18th century, Floors Castle and the surrounding grounds are open to the public. Inside, visitors will find everything from fine art to porcelain and tapestries, while the grounds include Victorian Walled Gardens and a beautiful riverside trail. Another historic attraction is the Kelso Racecourse, which is a thoroughbred horse racing venue that dates back to 1822. Thanks to its polite and helpful staff, it has earned the reputation of being Britain's "friendliest racecourse". Kelso also features a wide range of delicious food spots. Whether you are looking for a light bite to eat at lunch or a full three-course dinner, the town's culinary scene has something to offer everybody. One of the most popular eateries in Kelso is The Cobbles Inn, which is a modern gastropub with a varied menu. Among the dishes that visitors can enjoy are Eyemouth fish and chips, beef pie, and southern fried chicken waffle. Elsewhere, The Waggon is an award-winning family restaurant that serves up freshly cooked and locally sourced produce. It has earned praise amongst customers on Google for its "reasonably priced" menu and "excellent customer service". If you are looking to stay in Kelso, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to accommodation. Popular choices include the Cross Keys Hotel and the Ednam House Hotel. For those interested in a day out in Kelso, the town can be reached in just over an hour from Edinburgh by car. More information about the town can be found on the Visit Kelso website.
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Perfect' JBL headphones with 'great noise cancelling' slashed by 46% to £50
The JBL Tune 670NC headphones are £49.99 at Argos, down from £89.99. Whether commuting, working from home, or unwinding with a playlist, a reliable pair of headphones can make all the difference. And if they are wireless, you don't have to deal with the faff of tangled wires. One such set from JBL has been described as 'fantastic' with 'great noise cancelling', and is currently reduced by nearly half in a major deal. The JBL Tune 670NC On-Ear Wireless Headphones (Black) are currently £49.99 at Argos, down from £89.99. On top of the 46 per cent saving, the headphones feature Adaptive Noise Cancelling, up to 70 hours of battery life, and Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing, allowing connection to two devices at once. A 5-minute quick charge adds three hours of playback, and users can switch to a detachable audio cable when needed. The splashproof design (IPX4) and foldable build add portability, while JBL Pure Bass Sound brings depth to music across genres. Ambient Aware and Talk Thru functions ensure that outside voices and sounds can still be heard without removing the headphones. Other features of the sleek black headphones include on-ear controls, VoiceAware for calls, a 32mm driver, and a 10m Bluetooth range. It comes with a USB-C charging cable, audio cable, and quick start guide. The only caveat is that the headphones don't include a wall charger, and they don't support PD fast charging, standard USB outputs (1W to 5W) are recommended. If you're exploring other wireless noise-cancelling options, the Soundcore by Anker Q30 is available on Amazon for £64.82, down from £79.99. It offers 50 hours of playtime, custom EQ via app, and has earned a 4.5-star rating from over 84,000 reviews. Another contender is the Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones for £74.99 at Currys. With a 4.5-star rating from 1,824 reviews, it's a top pick for Sony fans seeking strong noise cancellation and a lightweight build. The JBL Tune 670NC On-Ear Wireless Headphones currently hold a 4.7-star rating from 68 reviews, with many praising their comfort, battery life, and sound performance. A user said: 'Fantastic set of headphones and a proper bargain at the price. Lightweight, comfortable, really good sound quality… splashproof, which is a really useful feature.' Another five-star reviewer added: 'I love it!!! The JBL Tune 670NC Black are perfect… You can listen to up to 70 hours of music… connect to 2 devices at the same time. Music sounds very good.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Not everyone was as impressed, though. On person said: 'Was expecting more bass… My friend has the same speaker with firmware version 1.6 and it outperforms mine by a considerable amount.' But someone else said: 'Great noise cancelling and overall a good product! I'm satisfied with this purchase.' Get this product HERE while it's still available for £49.99.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
Holiday money mistake costing Scots hundreds of pounds this summer
Travellers should be cautious when choosing how to pay their bills whilst abroad. Travellers jetting off abroad this summer are reportedly unknowingly falling into a costly trap at restaurants, shops and ATMs whilst on holiday. According to Jessie Chambers, Travel Expert at Global Work & Travel, choosing to pay in pounds (GBP) instead of the local currency could be inflating holiday spending by as much as 10% per transaction - thanks to a little-known practice called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). She said: 'It feels familiar and safe to choose pounds, but it's one of the biggest travel money mistakes Brits make. You're letting the shop or ATM provider apply their own conversion rate – and it's almost always worse than your bank's. Dynamic Currency Conversion is when a foreign card machine offers to convert your bill into GBP on the spot. While it sounds convenient, this 'service' often comes with: Inflated exchange rates Hidden mark-ups (typically 6–10%) Additional fees layered on top A €100 meal in Spain could cost £84 when paid in local currency, but would actually £8 more when paid in GBP via DCC. Multiply that over a week-long trip with hotels, restaurants, and activities, and travellers could be losing £100–£250 without realising. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Money saving tips when spending abroad Always pay in local currency – especially at ATMs and restaurants Use a card with no foreign transaction fees (e.g. Revolut, Monzo, Chase) Decline 'conversion to GBP' offers from shopkeepers or waiters Withdraw cash abroad in local currency using fee-free apps Jessie added: "We've had travellers message us mid-trip after realising how much they've lost to bad conversions. The worst part? It's totally avoidable." Another thing to consider, according to Alastair Douglas, CEO at TotallyMoney, is which credit card to take - if at all - to make sure you're not being hit by hefty currency conversion charges. Alastair warned: 'Don't get burnt by bank charges this summer and take a fee-free card with you. Otherwise, if you pack the wrong one, you could find yourself paying £8.15 for £5 of cash when abroad.' Alastair also advises checking your providers flat fees. He added: "When using your card, remember that making multiple, smaller purchases or withdrawals can really add up. In which case, you might be better off withdrawing a larger amount of money once, and setting a daily budget.' Alastair also warned if you're in the UK and switching one foreign currency to another foreign currency, then it's likely that you'll be charged two sets of fees or commissions. One will be to convert your cash into pounds, and another from pounds into the new currency. So, you might be better off waiting until you reach your destination and exchanging there.
