KiwiRail's Interislander division has at least another two to three months to wait for the 180-metre, 22,152GT 'Kaiarahi' to enter Cook Strait service after undergoing a significant upgrade in Singapore.
The Interislander opted for the move after deploying the Stena RoRo-owned ferry – then known as the 'Stena Alegra' – during a major recent outage of the 'Aratare'.
Due to commence freight shipments in late August and passenger carriage by early September, the ferry is receiving new passenger lounges and drivers' lounge, external stabilisers to ensure a smoother ride, engine and navigational equipment upgrades, and a new gangway access.
The ferry's Swedish owner is responsible for managing and funding the upgrade ahead of the 'Kaiarahi' replacing the 13,621GT 'Arahura', which is retiring having completed over 50,000 crossings since 1981.
With the 'Kaiarahi' able to accommodate about the same volume of freight in two return sailings as the 'Arahura' would in three, KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy believes the ferry will provide a key fillip for the service.
"The new vessel will increase our overall freight and passenger capacity on a critical link for the country," he said.
"Interislander is an extension of the main trunk line and State Highway One across Cook Strait and vital for our economy. Her capacity gives us big efficiency gains and future proofs our fleet for increased customer demand."
Iain MacIntyre
