Interislander’s rail-enabled ferry, Aratere, will be retired to make way for the port redevelopment needed in Picton to prepare for the two brand-new ferries arriving in 2029.
“KiwiRail is committed to fully supporting the smooth and successful introduction of the two new ferries, and their required infrastructure, while maintaining safe and reliable freight and passenger services for our customers,” said KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy.
“We have been advised that work on demolishing Aratere’s decaying wharf in Picton could begin later this year or early next year.”
Aratere requires specific loading and unloading infrastructure, so it cannot use the other Interislander wharf in Picton. Building a temporary berth for Aratere would be too expensive in a project where tight cost control is a priority, which would risk delaying the necessary infrastructure work in Picton.
“Therefore, Aratere will be retired this year, and we will work through the details of that decision, firstly with our people, especially our Interislander crews. A ship is a special workplace and for some of our people, Aratere is a home away from home.”
The ship has been a workhorse for Interislander, providing extensive service to freight customers and passengers alike since it entered service on the Cook Strait in 1999. Moving from three ships to two will result in the loss of some roles, but the exact number will depend on the outcome of a consultation process that we will conduct with our people across Interislander.
“We will also be talking to customers and other parties about operational arrangements for the transition period to new ships.”
This will include developing a workable ship maintenance programme once we transition to two ferries, and mitigating impacts for the Cook Strait market over the four years until the brand-new, larger, rail-enabled ferries arrive.
“We are committed to continuing to run a safe and reliable service for passengers and freight throughout that period using Interislander’s remaining two ships, Kaitaki and Kaiārahi.”
Aratere is currently scheduled to depart Wellington in late June for dry dock in Singapore, but this plan is being reviewed as part of a larger planning initiative now underway.
“We will work quickly to give our people, passengers and freight customers certainty as soon as possible.”
Although Aratere is currently Interislander’s only rail-enabled ferry, KiwiRail already carries rail freight on Kaitaki and Kaiārahi using an effective road bridging process.
Until the new ships arrive, rail freight will be moved using road-bridging. Investment will be made to supercharge this operation, ensuring that all rail freight is serviced at the levels the rail freight customers need and expect.
“We are well advanced in planning for a two-ship road-bridged ferry service, and we will be consulting with the freight market throughout May on operational arrangements to ensure that we have those plans right. “
KiwiRail has always understood new port infrastructure would be needed to serve the new ferries, and will work hard to support its people, customers and the public through the transition.
“Ultimately, it is about delivering a new Interislander fleet which will be good for New Zealand’s freight market, and good for domestic and overseas visitors crossing Cook Strait on New Zealand’s premium inter-island ferry service.”
