Date locked in for Spirit of Tasmania move

The Spirit of Tasmania Bass Strait ferry service will dock at its new terminal in Geelong for the first time on October 23, ending more than three decades of Melbourne sailings.

The company on Tuesday confirmed the date of the shift from its Victorian home at Port Melbourne's Station Pier.

The service, which runs between Victoria and Devonport in northwest Tasmania, has sailed to and from Port Melbourne for close to 37 years.

Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line announced the shift to Geelong, some 70 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, in 2020.

It is hoped the new terminal, which has marshalling for 600 cars and freight parking for 150 semitrailers, will ease boarding congestion and allow TT-Line to expand freight services.

The final Spirit of Tasmania journey from Melbourne will depart on the evening of October 22.

The Geelong terminal will be able to accommodate two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels, which are expected to begin sailing in late 2023 and late 2024.

Built by Finnish company RMC, the ships will be 212 metres long and able to carry 1800 passengers each.