The delivery of two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels could extend beyond the 2021 deadline due to issues at the shipyard responsible for their construction.
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Murchison independent MLC Ruth Forrest at a budget estimates hearing on Monday said through her reading of the 2019-20 budget papers, it seemed that the vessels were anticipated to be delivered later than previously thought.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said TT-Line was working through the prospect of a later delivery though money to fund the new vessels would be made available regardless of the project time frame.
There had been $81 million taken from the vessel replacement fund by TT-Line to pay a deposit with the shipbuilder though it had not yet been paid, he said.
Mr Gutwein said there was still $40 million resting in the fund.
He said all TT-Line dividends over the budget's forward estimates would be transferred to the replacement fund.
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaf secured a $700 million build contract with the government in May 2018 to build the new vessels.
The shipbuilder was reported earlier this year to be experiencing financial difficulties.
