King Island freight demands will be met with the official launch of the 80-metre vessel John Duigan. The John Duigan has double the capacity of the old freight service and was officially launched on Friday. The vessel has a v-shaped hull and is significantly longer, heavier and wider than the previous Investigator II, which is expected to ensure substantially better sea-handling in Bass Strait. Primary Industries Minister Sarah Courtney said the launch was testament to the effort of King Island residents and the council working together with the state government “to achieve a significant step forward in terms of cargo quantity, security of service and flexibility to carry the wide range of goods required by King Islanders”.