Family-owned freight company Furneax Freight have announced a $4.5 million new vessel for their route to Flinders Island.
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The vessel will be purpose-built, like other vessels owned by the company, for the cargo, livestock and passenger route connecting the islands to Tasmania.
The Bridport-based company provides boat building and maintenance to local fishermen across the North-East, as well as freight around the Furneaux islands.
The company is also completing a purpose-built vessel for Huon Aquaculture.
Owned by Matthew and Colleen Bayles, Furneaux Freight has been conducting freight to and from Flinders Island and Cape Baron Island for more than 20 years..
The Bayles’ children Shannon and Jacob later joined the company, which also provides services on request to King Island and Victoria.
The eight-hour trip from Bridport to Lady Barron on Flinders Island is currently serviced by the Matthew Flinders III, one of the Furneaux Freight vessels with a capacity of 12 passengers.
Flinders Island is seeing a surge in popularity for tourism, prompting greater need for easy access to the island and surrounds.
Around 6000 people visit Flinders Island each year, with the state government developing a destination action plan to support communities on the island in developing tourism with visitor research.
