An Update on the New Kangaroo Island Ferry Service

With preparations for the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service progressing, we are providing an important update on the expected arrival of the two new ferries, Wanggami and Ruwi, and the timeline for service commencement.

The new vessels were expected to enter service following completion of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s KI Ports upgrade project. Unfortunately, while construction of the new vessels has progressed with vessel one, Wanggami, in the water undergoing final commissioning and expected to arrive in Port Adelaide late in 2025, there has been a delay with the second vessel, Ruwi, which is now scheduled to arrive in early 2026.

These delays mean the vessels will be ready to begin service on 1 June 2026.

Wanggami preparing for launch in Batam, Indonesia.

We appreciate the delay in commencement of the new ferries is very disappointing for everyone, however a key priority has always been to ensure service continuity during peak travel periods. We remain committed to building high quality vessels that will deliver a safe, reliable and improved ferry service well into the future to meet the needs of the community.

The new ramp infrastructure changes and other safety infrastructure required for the new ferries will be installed after both vessels are ready. This will ensure a more seamless and safe transition, and minimal disruption during the critical peak Christmas, New Year and Easter travel periods.

We will continue to operate the existing timetable with Sealion 2000 and Spirit of Kangaroo Island, until the new vessels, Wanggami and Ruwi, have both arrived and are ready to commence the new service together in 2026.

Wanggami at the shipyard in Batam, Indonesia.

Transition Timeline

• Vessel Arrival: Wanggami is expected to arrive at Port Adelaide in South Australia in late 2025, with Ruwi scheduled to arrive in early 2026.

• Temporary Service Shutdown: As previously communicated, our critical infrastructure works to install the new vehicle ramps at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw will require a temporary suspension of all services for an anticipated three-day period. We recognise the importance of maintaining service continuity and are carefully planning the service shutdown to take place after Easter and the April school holidays to minimise disruption during the peak holiday travel periods.

• Post Temporary Service Shutdown: We will operate on a limited departure schedule with Sealion 2000 for an anticipated 3 - 4 days. During this time initial crew training, on-water familiarisation within the harbour and system testing will take place on Wanggami ahead of formal service commencement of the new timetable.

• Transition to both New Vessels: Our existing departure schedule will resume with Wanggami and Sealion 2000 for around 3 weeks. During this time, training of our remaining crew, on-water familiarisation within the harbour and system testing will take place on Ruwi ahead of formal service commencement.

• New Service Commencement: It is anticipated that both Wanggami and Ruwi will commence the new service on 1 June 2026, providing more daily departures, greater capacity and flexibility, and improved customer experience for all travellers.

We will provide further updates, including specific dates for vessel arrivals and the service shutdown, when the dates are confirmed.

Image 1 & 2: Wanggami at the shipyard in Batam, Indonesia.

Supporting the Community During the Transition

We know how important the ferry service is to residents, businesses and freight operators and people looking forward to the improvements that were to commence with the new service. We will be introducing some service improvements prior to the new vessels arriving and will maintain current resident passenger and freight fares until the new ferries commence.

• From 1 November 2025, a new resident saver fare of $30.35 per standard vehicle (currently $78.90) will be introduced on four weekday departures. The new saver fare will be available on the 5.30am and 7.30am departures from Penneshaw and the 6.00pm and 7.00pm departures from Cape Jervis. On the Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday timetable, where these four departures are scheduled, the new resident saver fare will also apply for this period.

• From 1 November 2025, we will increase our weekday schedule to a minimum of 8 return departures per weekday (up from 7), with further additional weekday sailings added where demand and operational capacity allows.

• Residents will continue to receive the reduced passenger fare (currently $8.30) that has been in place since March 2022 (indexed annually).

• The current freight fare will remain in place until the new service commencement on 1 June 2026, providing certainty for freight operators. All rates will continue to be indexed annually on 1 July.

• To provide livestock producers with additional time to transition to the new rates, the introduction of the livestock 1.5 multiplier will commence on 1 January 2027. Until then, livestock will continue to be charged at the existing rate of $39.60 (including GST) per linear metre of vehicle length to allow more time to prepare for the new rate.

• There will be no changes to the loading arrangements until the new service commencement on 1 June 2026.

For more information about the new Kangaroo Island Ferry Service, including frequently asked questions about the transition, visit  sealink.com.au/kifs.

If you have any questions, please email us on [email protected].

For information on the Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island Ports upgrade, visit http://www.dit.sa.gov.au/KIPorts.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience as we move closer to the commencement of the new and improved Kangaroo Island Ferry Service.