Port of Devonport | Return of Commercial Shipping

TasPorts reopened the Port of Devonport to commercial shipping at 2pm today following the recent severe weather event.

TasPorts chief operating officer Stephen Casey said the Port of Devonport has now received approval from the Harbour Master to affect the return of commercial shipping in a way that both balances the urgency for reopening critical supply chains and passenger access with the need to ensure the safety of port users, vessels and port infrastructure.

“The enactment of our recovery plan, which has included confirmation of channel marker condition, repair of current profiler, and the removal of large amounts of visible debris (including trees) has prepared the Port of Devonport to the point where we can safely manage the passage of vessels,” Mr Casey said.

“That decision is based on the results of hydrographic surveys this morning.

“As a result, we are confident major obstacles have been removed from the shipping channel which means TasPorts can safely facilitate vessel movement.

“Accordingly, SeaRoad’s Liekut has been scheduled to commence arrival movement into the Port from 1400 today.

“There is further survey work at Spirit of Tasmania’s berth at 1 East scheduled for this afternoon and all being clear, she will commence arrival from 1600.

“Under current environmental conditions both vessels are required to depart on high tides.

“TasPorts will continue to monitor the port through hydrographic surveying,” he said.

The recovery operation on Saturday 15 October cleared the port of significant debris and recreational vessels that broke from moorings during the peak of the flood. Specialist equipment was deployed in the port to remove obstructions including a significant one on the seabed in the middle of the shipping channel.

Commercial shipping within the Port of Devonport was suspended at 11.30am on Thursday 13 October. No further flooding is expected in the Mersey River catchment and other ports remained open to shipping.