Devonport City Council is due to meet with TasPorts and Australian Cruise Ship Association in order to attract smaller cruise vessels to dock in the port city and ride the global cruise wave.
Councilors voted at the monthly meeting on Monday, June 24, to adopt the motion tabled by Councillor Lynn Laycock to meet with the parties to investigate the potential of Devonport to attract the smaller "Expedition" cruise ships.
It comes as Burnie plans to receive a total of 39 ships as part of the next cruise calendar, 12 more than in 2019.
According to Cr Laycock, Burnie's deep port was best for larger cruise vessels to berth and Devonport leverages off the cruise ship visits with buses bringing guests to visit historic Home Hill and Bass Strait Maritime Centre.
Image: Port of Devonport (Tasmania)
Cr Laycock added that if smaller vessels came into the port, which used to happen, the port city could package up its own shore trips and promote more of the facilities. TasPorts have confirmed berth No4 on the western side of Mersey River could take smaller cruise vessels.
She added it could take up to 2 years for Devonport to get included on the calendar. According to Deputy Mayor Allison Jarman, Burnie looked after its cruise visitors really well "with volunteers to greet passengers and Devonport could do it too."