These are the first images available of the interior of the new Spirit of Tasmania I and II, TT-Line Company Pty Ltd�s new passenger and passenger-vehicle vessels which will operate on Bass Strait between Station Pier, Port Melbourne, and Devonport. (Pictures should be uploaded sometime early today, Wednesday sorry for the inconvenience)

Bigger and faster than the current Spirit of Tasmania, the identical new vessels are 194-metres-long, are capable of speeds of 27.5 knots and can transport up to 1,400 passengers and 650 vehicles.

Importantly, Spirit of Tasmania I and II will provide passengers with a new level of comfort and luxury for their sea journey across Bass Strait.

The ships will operate a daily service (a vessel will depart each port daily at 9pm and arrive the following morning at 7am) providing people planning a holiday to Tasmania with even greater flexibility and should encourage more people to visit the State by sea.

It is expected that the introduction of the new, more efficient service will provide a significant boost to the Tasmanian economy, providing enormous potential for growth in the tourism industry and related business sectors.

The new service is expected to trigger a renewed interest in sea travel and Tasmania resulting in a 31 per cent increase in visitor numbers (an additional 36,350 mainland visitors) to Tasmania annually.