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In short:
TasPorts manages 11 ports across Tasmania but it's facing a range of challenges with its ageing infrastructure.
One of its wharfs at Burnie, which is used by a major freight company, has been found to not meet current standards. Another at Macquarie Point in Hobart, home to the Antarctic icebreaker, has hit cost hurdles for its upgrade.
What's next?
TasPorts says the Burnie wharf is still operational, but it has put in controls to manage the increased risks.
The "overall stability" of critical infrastructure used by one of Tasmania's main shipping companies "does not meet current contemporary standards", the state's ports regulator has confirmed.
Strait Link, previously known as Toll Shipping, provides regular sea freight services between Burnie and Melbourne.
But TasPorts said the shipping company's dedicated berth at Burnie will need urgent remediation work after structural issues were found as part of a wharf monitoring program.
"Areas of scouring were identified beneath the quay wall at berth four at the Port of Burnie, which is the current home of Strait Link," TasPorts chief executive, Anthony Donald said in response to ABC questions.
"TasPorts has undertaken significant investigative works to fully understand the scope of the issue.
"Through this process [it] has discovered that the wharf's overall stability does not meet current contemporary standards."
Mr Donald said the wharf's "original concrete mass structure" was more than a century old, although some modifications had been made over the years.
"While there are no indications the infrastructure will fail, TasPorts has mobilised a dedicated project team to undertake immediate remediation works and upgrades to modern standards," he said.
Strait Link is still able to use the facility, but controls have been put in place to manage the "increased risk".
"The interim risk mitigation measures include avoiding loading on an identified area," Mr Donald said.
"Strait Link is continuing to utilise berth four for shipping operations and both parties are working cooperatively on the matter with both aligned on the importance of marine safety."
Strait Link declined to comment, but Mr Donald said TasPorts was working collaboratively with the shipping company to resolve the situation.
"We appreciate this will provide some level of inconvenience to customers and remain committed to working with Strait Link and other port users to minimise operational disruptions and expedite a solution," he said.
TasPorts did not provide an estimated cost for the remediation works.
King Island wharf safety incident
TasPorts, a state-owned company, has acknowledged a range of "legacy challenges" relating to both infrastructure and operations.
One recent issue involved a safety incident at the Port of Grassy on King Island late last month.
On July 23, a heavy bollard became airborne after it was ripped from the wharf while a freight vessel, the John Duigan, was tied to it during heavy seas.
"The bollard severed under the mooring loads, landing in the sea," Mr Donald said.
"Fortunately, no-one was harmed."
The incident was reported to WorkSafe Tasmania, as well as other marine authorities.
WorkSafe said it would not be taking any regulatory action in relation to the incident.
Mr Donald said the safety of people and assets was of the highest importance, and a detailed investigation by TasPorts was ongoing.
"One of the findings was that the John Duigan and other vessels have been using mooring lines and a berthing and departure sequence that on occasion exceeds the rated capacity of the bollards at Grassy Port," he said.
Mr Donald said the "legacy issue" would be resolved by replacing and strengthening several bollards on the wharf.
"We are hopeful that we will be able to advise all Grassy Port users of the works program, including time frames and interim arrangements by the end of this week."
The John Duigan, which is owned by a subsidiary of TasPorts, has not returned to the wharf since the incident.
A replacement vessel, which doesn't exceed the current mooring restrictions, has been engaged to provide additional services to the island until the John Duigan can return.
Negotiations for Macquarie Wharf upgrade continue
In addition to the Burnie and King Island issues, TasPorts has a major upgrade planned for Hobart's Macquarie Wharf 6.
The facility, which is riddled with concrete cancer and unable to handle heavy cargo, is the home base for Australia's Antarctic icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina.
TasPorts is also undertaking major upgrades at Devonport to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries.
The project has seen significant cost blowouts.
Mr Donald said TasPorts had invested significantly in the modernisation of its port infrastructure.
"While we have been very open about the legacy challenges of aging infrastructure across our ports, which are in some places over a century old and have faced significantly low berth utilisation and under investment, we have set in place a robust asset management strategy focused on continuous improvement, timely repairs and minimal downtime."
Since 2019, $265 million had been invested on TasPorts' operational and capital expenditure program, he said.
This included more than $20 million on remediation and renewal of assets in 2022–23, and a further $41.9 million on new infrastructure.
Tens of millions more will be invested this financial year, he said.
TasPorts is expected to come under scrutiny at two separate parliamentary inquiries next week.