Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson says Bass Island Line is looking into alternative long-term charter arrangements over summer while its key freighter is under repair. Mr Ferguson said shipping services to King Island would not be impacted while the John Duigan was dry-docked for 12 weeks. “I am advised that the existing charter arrangements are totally satisfying the current freight task,” he said. Mr Ferguson said TasPorts, which operates Bass Island Line, could not disclose the cost of repairs or the cost of charter arrangements due to the information being commercial-in-confidence. Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said the future of the $10 million ship was under a cloud as it had just come out of a long stint in dry dock for repairs. He said the situation highlighted the danger of putting vessels on the route that were not fit for purpose.