Transitioning to the new Kangaroo Island ferries

Ro-Ro (Vehicle) Ramp Closure

• Vehicle Ramp Installation: Essential works to install the new vehicle ramps, specifically designed for the two new larger ferries, will need to be undertaken at both Cape Jervis and Penneshaw. The new vehicle ramp design allows us to minimise the disruption period for their installation. Majority of the new infrastructure and supporting systems will be installed prior to installing the new vehicle ramps. Vehicle ramp installation works will be undertaken by Sealink following the completion of the Department for Infrastructure and Transports Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island Ports Upgrade.

• Temporary Service Shutdown: Our critical infrastructure works to install the new ramps at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw will involve a necessary temporary suspension of all services for an anticipated three-day period. Installation can only occur after completion of the major construction associated with the Department for Infrastructure and Transports Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island Ports upgrade. This service shutdown is currently scheduled to take place in May 2025.

We recognise the importance of maintaining service continuity and are carefully planning the service shutdown to take place after the April school holidays, Easter, and Anzac Day long weekend to minimise disruption during peak travel periods.

• New Schedule: The new service and schedule, featuring 22 daily departures Monday to Friday and 18 daily departures Saturday to Sunday in peak season and 14 daily departures in off-peak season, will commence at the conclusion of the five-week transition period. Click here to view the new schedule. Commencement date to be confirmed in 2025.

We are collaborating closely with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to ensure the integration of the new service is managed with minimal impact on the community.

With an enhanced customer experience and increased daily departures, the new service will support our ongoing commitment to delivering an improved, safe and reliable service for the residents, freight providers, businesses and visitors travelling to and from Kangaroo Island.

Further updates, including specific dates for service commencement, five-week transition period, and the service shutdown, will be provided in early 2025.

Sealink and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (the Department) are undertaking a number of critical infrastructure upgrades within the Cape Jervis harbour staring in early January 2025. We will be undertaking extensive dredging works, construction a new layby berth, installing a turning dolphin and commencing preliminary piling works to accommodate the new vehicle ramp. The Department will be installing a mooring hook and undertaking piling works during this time.

To ensure safety of harbour users and workers while these important works are undertaken, access to the Cape Jervis boat ramp will be temporarily restricted:

• From Friday 17 January 2025 to mid March 2025 the Cape Jervis boat ramp will be closed to all users between 7pm and 6am for night works to occur in the harbour.

• There will likely be a need for some daytime boat ramp closures in the first half of 2025 to undertake works in preparation for the new larger ferries, and for the Department to complete Cape Jervis Port upgrade works.

The Cape Jervis boat ramp will be reopened to all users over the Australia Day long weekend.

From Friday 17 January to mid March 2025 Cape Jervis boat ramp facility users will be able to launch and retrieve vessels from the Wirrina Cove Marina at no cost.