Crossing Cook Strait by Ferry, Picton, New Zealand.
Adobe Stock
BioMar will benefit Tasmanian exports with a new $20 million vessel set to operate a direct shipping route between Tasmania and New Zealand, the Tasmanian Liberal Government has published.
ECOline, a new state-of-the-art 86-metre vessel under Biomar directions, will deliver up to 3,000 tonnes of fish feed on each voyage, directly into New Zealand, and other key markets.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said: "With this new vessel, BioMar will be able to take Tasmania’s trade with New Zealand to the next level. BioMar has demonstrated the huge demand in this market, recently reaching a significant milestone of 30,000 tonnes of premium fish feed having been shipped from Wesley Vale in the state’s north into New Zealand."
In September 2022, BioMar guaranteed a direct Trans-Tasman shipping service with support from the Tasmanian Government. This was a consequence of participating in a Tasmanian Government-led Trade and Investment Mission to New Zealand in August of that year.
"This new vessel will enable BioMar to open up this route for a regular service, significantly increasing the exporting capacity of fish feed to the New Zealand market," Mr Rockliff added.
Also, he added: "This new vessel will reduce shipping times and costs for BioMar and increase trade with our New Zealand neighbors. This increase in trade will add significant economic benefits for our state as we work towards our goal of growing our exports to $15 billion by 2050."
On the other hand, BioMar Managing Director David Whyte noted: "Since we started in Tasmania in 2020, we’ve grown to employ more than 70 locals and with the new ship we’ve now invested more than $100 million here."
"We’re so proud to have hit the 30,000 tonne New Zealand export milestone too. That volume of feed will grow enough salmon to provide 100 million meals in homes and restaurants here and across the world," he ended.
