Sealink seeks court-ordered delivery of Kangaroo Island ferry as service shutdown proceeds

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Sealink seeks KI ferry delivery

Highlights

Sealink initiated Federal Court proceedings against Sea Transport SA Pty Ltd to secure delivery of the second new Kangaroo Island ferry after significant delays.
Operational shutdown for three days next week will enable new vehicle ramp installation, disrupting freight movement for farmers during peak export season.
South Australian Transport Minister criticized Sealink for missing multiple deadlines but confirmed immediate vehicle fare reductions for Kangaroo Island residents despite only one new ferry in service.

Federal Court dispute over delayed vessel

As reported by ABC News, citing Sealink, in a media statement published yesterday, the ferry operator has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court's admiralty jurisdiction against Sea Transport SA Pty Ltd, seeking orders for the second of two new Kangaroo Island ferries to be delivered to Australia.

Sealink holds a contract with the South Australian government to provide ferry services to Kangaroo Island until at least 2039. The two larger ferries, designed to add 150 metres of vehicle capacity, were being built at a shipyard in Batam, Indonesia and were initially expected to enter service by early 2025.

After repeated delays, the first of the new ferries arrived in Port Adelaide in April 2026. Sea Transport founder and chairman Stuart Ballantyne said he was limited in what he could say but said Sealink had effectively cancelled the contract when the vessel was close to leaving the shipyard for delivery to Adelaide. He said his company was cooperating while the legal process runs, with the matter due to return to the Federal Court on November 13.

Operational disruption and pressure on island freight

The first new ferry, now berthed in Port Adelaide, is due to begin operating later this month alongside one of the older vessels. To enable that rollout, ferry services are being halted for three days next week while new vehicle ramps are installed at the Cape Jervis and Penneshaw terminals.

Agriculture Kangaroo Island chair Peter Cooper said the shutdown and fleet changeover are disruptive for farmers, particularly as producers are moving large volumes of lambs, grain and other crops to the mainland for sale. He said discussions with Sealink have led to agreement on additional freight runs to clear any backlog after the shutdown.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said the ferry remains a lifeline for residents and that the service is especially critical during peak livestock season. South Australian Transport Minister Joe Szakacs said Sealink has failed to meet multiple deadlines and has severely let down islanders and the government, while also saying the company has agreed to immediately apply vehicle fare reductions for Kangaroo Island residents that had been promised once both new ferries were in place.

Our earlier coverage of the proposed enclosed, automated cattle feedlot at Llowalong in Gippsland explained how the 2,206-head project has been moving through council review amid strong local opposition over truck traffic, odour and environmental impacts. We noted Wellington Shire Council voted to reject the proposal after a large community petition, while the proponent argued the facility could lower feeding costs for producers and reflects the broader expansion and economic footprint of Australia’s feedlot sector.

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