New Zealand: Strait Shipping has acquired a vessel, the 'Straitsman', just in time for the peak summer season. The vessel will join the freight and Bluebridge passenger service between Wellington and Picton in mid-December.
The new ship, formerly known as 'Dueodde', was purchased from Danish operator Bornholmstrafikken (now known as Danske Faerger).
The 'Dueodde' was built in 2005 by Dutch yard Merwede. It is 125 metres in length with capacity for 400 passengers and 340 cars and a service speed of 18 knots.
At just five years old the ship will be the newest servicing the Cook Strait route.
"The purchase of this new ship represents our commitment to the shipping, freight and tourism industries. We're delighted to have the vessel here in time to meet peak passenger and freight demand through summer and also next year's Rugby World Cup event," said Strait Shipping managing director Sheryl Ellison.
Privately owned, Strait Shipping has been moving freight between the North and South Islands since 1992 and diversified into the passenger market with the launch of the Bluebridge service in 2003.
