Kangaroo Island SeaLink
| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
Area served | Backstairs Passage |
| Revenue | $54.1 million (June 2015) |
| Parent | Kelsian Group |
| Website | www.sealink.com.au |
Kangaroo Island SeaLinkis a South Australian ferry company and tour operator owned byKelsian Group,which has plied the crossing from mainlandSouth AustraliatoKangaroo Islandsince 1989. From 1989 to 1994, Kangaroo Island Sealink was owned by the Malaysian company MBF. In 1994 the company was sold to a consortium of staff members and Kangaroo Island residents. SeaLink's two currently operating ferries,Sealion 2000andSpirit of Kangaroo Island,crossBackstairs PassagefromCape JervistoPenneshawin about 45 minutes, up to 10 times daily.
SeaLink had acquired the previous ferry service founded by Peter March. Its first vessel wasPhilanderer 3,the first of March's vessels to carry vehicles. In later years, the company operated theIsland Navigator(purchased 1990), also a car carrying ferry, as the designated freight and fuel carrier.
SeaLink has outlasted several competing companies since it began operations. Boat Torque, a Western Australian company, operatedSuperflytefrom 1994 until 1997, whilst Kangaroo Island Ferries had a short-lived venture withSeaWay,from September 2004 until February 2005. Under different ownership,SeaWayrecommenced services in August 2007, before its operations were suspended in May 2008 and an administrator appointed shortly thereafter.[1]
SeaLink holds a virtual monopoly on oversea transport, primarily due to its long term lease of the Cape Jervis berth. In 2021 Sealink announced they had been awarded a contract for the operation of the Kangaroo Island ferry service for the next 25 years, starting at the expiration of their former contract in 2024.[2]Kangaroo Island residents have expressed displeasure with the exclusive arrangement granted to SeaLink.[3]
SeaLink had state government subsidies with respect to its freight charges, which ended in 2003.
New vessels
[edit]
As part of the new contract in 2021, Sealink has announced the release of two new vessels to replace the agingSealion 2000andSpirit of Kangaroo Island[4]These two new vessels will be identical in construction. The design has been contracted to Sea Transport Solutions. They will be roll-on roll-off vessels, equipped with ramps fore and aft. They will be 60 metres in length, an advance of 10 metres on the current vessels, and have a beam of 20 metres.[5]
References
[edit]- ^"Ferry for sale".The Islander News. 19 June 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 1 January 2010.Retrieved20 June2008.
- ^"SeaLink secures Kangaroo Island ferry contract for next 25 years".The Islander News. 6 March 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2023.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^"Kangaroo Island residents unhappy about ferry agreement".Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 August 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 26 September 2009.Retrieved15 June2007.
- ^"SeaLink secures Kangaroo Island ferry contract for next 25 years".The Islander News. 9 December 2021. Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2023.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^"Towards the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service in 2024".Kelsian Group. 6 March 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2023.Retrieved6 March2023.