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Severe winds have caused one of the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels to break loose from its outfitting quay at a shipyard in Finland, but the extent of damage is yet to be determined.
The ship — known as Spirit V, the second of the new vessels — is still under construction at Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC).
The area experienced "hurricane-force winds" on Friday evening, Finland time.
A live cam of the Spirit of Tasmania at its construction quay in Finland. (Supplied: Rauma Marine Constructions)
In a statement, translated from Finnish, RMC said that staff had prepared for the severe weather event.
"The situation was prepared the day before with additional ropes, an emergency team and a tug was called to the scene," the statement reads.
"Work on the ship was stopped at 18:00.
"However, the storm became the first known hurricane in the area, and the ship could not be kept at the pier, but instead drifted against the embankment on the side of the lake."
The funnel of a new Spirit of Tasmania ferry is lifted by cranes into place at the shipyard of Rauma Marine Constructions in May. (Rauma Marine Constructions)
Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line also released a statement, saying the presence of a tugboat and two barges between Spirit V and the quayside had prevented serious damage to the hull.
Spirit of Tasmania acting chief executive officer Kym Sayers said damage would be assessed.
"Spirit of Tasmania V is floating, safe and secure with every action possible being taken to protect the vessel," she said.
"A detailed assessment of any damage is just not possible at this stage, but it appears there has been no breach to the hull.
"There are three tugs currently alongside Spirit of Tasmania V, and as soon as wind conditions are suitable, the vessel will be returned and secured to the lay-up berth at RMC."
The average wind speed peaked at about 120km/h on Friday evening in Rauma, Finland according to the Finnish Meterological Institute. (Supplied)
Speaking on Sunday, Minister for Transport Eric Abetz said responsibility for any damage to the Spirit V remained with RMC.
"The good news is that the vessel has not been transferred to Tasmanian ownership at this stage, so the risk remains with the Finnish boatbuilder," he said.
"That said, we believe that the damage is superficial, but we will ensure that the ship is checked out absolutely thoroughly to ensure it has not been impacted in any way."
Ownership of the Spirit V vessel remains with RMC during construction. (Supplied: Rauma)
Construction on the ship is expected to be complete by mid-next year.
The first of the new vessels – Spirit IV – has been completed and passed initial sea trials.
It must leave the Rauma shipyards by the end of this month to avoid becoming iced in by the northern winter.
Last month, TT-Line confirmed that the ship would be temporarily stored at the Leith shipyards in Edinburgh, Scotland, while it assessed lease or chartering options.
New Spirit of Tasmania V and IV ferries in shipyard of Rauma Marine Constructions, Finland, September 2024. (Rauma Marine Constructions)
The two ships do not have a permanent berth in Tasmania yet.
A series of delays and blowouts mean that construction on a new berth at Devonport is not expected to be complete until February 2027 at the latest, and alternative options are being assessed for storage or leasing in the interim.
The Tasmanian government on Sunday announced a proposal to merge the government-owned TT-Line with TasPorts and TasRail to create a new transport and logistics business.
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