Kelsian takes KI ferry company to court
One of the state’s leading businesses is taking legal action as a long-awaited ferry triggers transport concerns in SA.
South Australian transport business Kelsian has commenced legal action in the Federal Court against an Indonesian company that is yet to deliver the second of two ferries that will service Kangaroo Island.
In a media release, the business details that “despite SeaLink’s best efforts to facilitate a departure date for Ruwi to commence alongside Wangammi, commercial negotiations… have not been successful”.
The ferry has completed sea trials and is ready for departure but is still in Indonesia, according to SeaLink – a subsidiary of Kelsian, which is one of South Australia’s top 100 companies.
It hopes the Federal Court proceedings will force the delivery company to get the ferry called Ruwi to SA sooner.
It led to community furore, including from Transport Minister Joe Szackacs, who told ABC Radio he was “very concerned” and “angry” about the delays and a claimed lack of communication from Kelsian.
Now, SeaLink says it has representatives on the ground “talking to the local shipyard in relation to expediting a departure date for Ruwi”.
Sealink acting chief operating officer Phil Boyle said the news was “extremely disappointing for everyone involved”.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure Ruwi arrives in South Australia and commences service to Kangaroo Island as soon as possible,” Boyle said.
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“We hope today’s announcement provides some certainty to the Kangaroo Island community and other ferry passengers that the service shutdown and transition to the commencement of the first of our two new ferries will proceed as previously advised.
“We sincerely apologise for the delay of the commencement of both new ferries, however, we look forward to bringing the first new ferry into service later this month and will provide further updates as soon as we can once the departure date for Ruwi is confirmed.”
The company has also confirmed the service shutdown for the new installation of ferry ramps on Kangaroo Island will proceed from October 20 to 22, “subject to weather conditions”.
No services will operate during the shutdown.
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