Latest news with #Kaitaki
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
KiwiRail promises no 'price-gouging' when ferry retires
Interislander ferry operator KiwiRail says with the Aratere gone, passengers may need to travel on less popular sailings or be more flexible with dates. But it says there will be no price-gouging or considerable increases to ticket prices. The Aratere Interislander ferry will retire by the end of August, meaning cuts to both passenger and freight capacity. The Aratere is the only ship that carries rail wagons, but cannot use the Picton or Wellington wharfs as they are being upgraded for two new ferries arriving in 2029. A temporary wharf would have cost $120 million. The ship can hold 650 passengers, 230 cars and 28 rail wagons. More than 2200 passenger bookings have already been transferred from Aratere to other vessels - the Kaitaki and Kaiārahi. Despite the Aratere being the only rail-enabled ferry, Kaitaki and Kaiārahi can carry rail freights by using road bridging. Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy advised passengers to book their trips early, especially for peak season around Christmas time. "We don't have full ferries all the time with three [ferries], so we'd expect to have fuller ferries and, probably, people will be travelling at non-traditional times - earlier in the morning, later in the evening," he told RNZ. Roy would not say whether prices would increase after the Aratere retires, but assured there would be no price-gouging. "Nothing considerable... there could be a price increase anytime, but we watch our prices and monitor them like any good business. We work hard to keep the cost down." He said Interislander had dynamic pricing, meaning prices went up in times of high demand. Asked if customers may have to pay more because of reduced capacity, he replied: "That may be the case". 'Bad news' Union NZ spokesperson Victor Billot told RNZ job losses were "likely", but did not know how many would go. "We will be fighting for jobs. We can't afford to lose any more seafarers in New Zealand." Billot said there needed to be thought given into how the retirement of the Aratere would impact the security of supply chains between the North and South Islands. "This is going to reduce the resilience. It's going to lead to a higher risk of service failure if there is a problem with one of the other existing ferries. It's bad news, as far as we're concerned." Ferry operator Kiwirail had been under fire after multiple breakdowns in recent years left passengers stranded. In 2023, Interislander's largest ferry - the Kaitaki - lost engine power while sailing Cook Strait with 800 passengers and 80 crew aboard. The same year, there was a gearbox issue with the ship and a heat exchanger issue on the Kaiārahi. Last year, the Aratere made headlines when it ran aground near Picton, which began with an autopilot mistake. Roy said this year to date, the ferries had been 99 percent reliable. "As we reduce the capacity, it's our job to keep those ferries running safe."
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
No 'considerable' price rises from Aratere retirement
Interislander ferry operator KiwiRail says with the Aratere gone, passengers may need to travel on less popular sailings or be more flexible with dates. But it says there will be no price-gouging or considerable increases to ticket prices. The Aratere Interislander ferry will retire by the end of August, meaning cuts to both passenger and freight capacity. The Aratere is the only ship that carries rail wagons, but cannot use the Picton or Wellington wharfs as they are being upgraded for two new ferries arriving in 2029. A temporary wharf would have cost $120 million. The ship can hold 650 passengers, 230 cars and 28 rail wagons. More than 2200 passenger bookings have already been transferred from Aratere to other vessels - the Kaitaki and Kaiārahi. Despite the Aratere being the only rail-enabled ferry, Kaitaki and Kaiārahi can carry rail freights by using road bridging. Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy advised passengers to book their trips early, especially for peak season around Christmas time. "We don't have full ferries all the time with three [ferries], so we'd expect to have fuller ferries and, probably, people will be travelling at non-traditional times - earlier in the morning, later in the evening," he told RNZ. Roy would not say whether prices would increase after the Aratere retires, but assured there would be no price-gouging. "Nothing considerable... there could be a price increase anytime, but we watch our prices and monitor them like any good business. We work hard to keep the cost down." He said Interislander had dynamic pricing, meaning prices went up in times of high demand. Asked if customers may have to pay more because of reduced capacity, he replied: "That may be the case". 'Bad news' Union NZ spokesperson Victor Billot told RNZ job losses were "likely", but did not know how many would go. "We will be fighting for jobs. We can't afford to lose any more seafarers in New Zealand." Billot said there needed to be thought given into how the retirement of the Aratere would impact the security of supply chains between the North and South Islands. "This is going to reduce the resilience. It's going to lead to a higher risk of service failure if there is a problem with one of the other existing ferries. It's bad news, as far as we're concerned." Ferry operator Kiwirail had been under fire after multiple breakdowns in recent years left passengers stranded. In 2023, Interislander's largest ferry - the Kaitaki - lost engine power while sailing Cook Strait with 800 passengers and 80 crew aboard. The same year, there was a gearbox issue with the ship and a heat exchanger issue on the Kaiārahi. Last year, the Aratere made headlines when it ran aground near Picton, which began with an autopilot mistake. Roy said this year to date, the ferries had been 99 percent reliable. "As we reduce the capacity, it's our job to keep those ferries running safe."
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Interislander's Aratere ferry to retire in August
When announcing the retirement, KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy said they would 'work through the detail of that decision - firstly with our own 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 of Interislander, giving huge service to freight customers and passengers alike since it entered service on Cook Strait in 1999.' Reidy said moving from three ships to two would mean the loss of some roles, but that the exact number would depend on the outcome of a consultation process. '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 move to two ferries, and de-risking impacts for the Cook Strait market for the four-year transition 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 was due to leave Wellington next month to go to dry dock in Singapore, but that plan has clearly changed. Instead, Kaiārahi will now go to dry dock on 27 June. The update on Interislander's website says Aratere will provide cover and retire when Kaiārahi returns, which is expected to be between 18 and 30 August. It says to prepare for a two-ship fleet, they're taking advantage of existing maintenance windows. 'This will ensure we maximise the two-ship capacity with a year on / year off dry dock maintenance programme during the transition period to the brand new, rail enabled ships in 2029.' Interislander says anyone booked to travel on Aratere from September will receive an email or txt informing them of new sailing details. There have also been timetable changes for anyone booked to travel on Kaiārahi from September. The company acknowledges Aratere's retirement will have an impact on sailing availability, especially during the busy summer period, and is advising travellers to plan ahead. 'The retirement of Aratere in mid to late August will reduce the overall freight and passenger capacity of the Interislander fleet. 'You may have to travel at less popular times or be flexible on the dates you travel. 'If you are planning to travel during the summer peak it is best to get in early', the website warns. The Aratere made headlines in June last year when it ran aground after leaving Picton. An interim report into the grounding found the bridge crew did not know how to turn off the autopilot function on a new steering control system. Minister for Rail Winston Peters announced a plan in March for what he is calling 'two new rail ferries' to replace Interislander's ailing fleet in 2029. The plan replaces Labour's iRex project that would have delivered two new mega ferries and upgraded port infrastructure in Wellington and Picton. The Government scrapped that project after budget blowouts to the infrastructure saw the total cost balloon to around $3 billion. Peters said the ships the Government was now looking for would be 'approximately 200m long - longer and wider than the current fleet', however they would be shorter than the ferries ordered under Labour in 2021.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
National Road Carriers Responds To KiwiRail Announcement To Retire Aratere
Press Release – National Road Carriers We welcome KiwiRails commitment to continue operating a two-ship service with Kaitaki and Kairahi, and to prioritise freight throughout the transition period. National Road Carriers supports KiwiRail's decision to retire the Aratere and begin the port redevelopment in Picton to pave the way for New Zealand's new rail-enabled ferries arriving in 2029. This is a critical step in future-proofing our inter-island transport network. While the retirement of the Aratere marks the end of a long-serving vessel in New Zealand's freight and customer operations, we acknowledge the careful planning KiwiRail has undertaken to manage the transition. Maintaining safe and reliable freight connections across Cook Strait is essential for our members and the customers they serve. We welcome KiwiRail's commitment to continue operating a two-ship service with Kaitaki and Kaiārahi, and to prioritise freight throughout the transition period. The decision to enhance road-bridging capacity to carry rail freight ensures that critical freight flows between the North and South Islands will be maintained at a high standard. The assurance that existing customers will be rebooked, and that freight continuity remains a top priority, provides our members and the broader freight industry with confidence. We also support KiwiRail's intent to consult with the freight market during this period to ensure operational arrangements are practical and effective. Ultimately, this work lays the foundation for a stronger, more resilient transport link that will benefit freight operators, their customers, and all New Zealanders in the years ahead.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Aratere To Retire As New Zealand's New Ferries Project Gets Underway
Press Release – KiwiRail We have been advised that work on demolishing Arateres 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. Interislander's rail-enabled ferry, Aratere, will be retired to make way for the port re-development needed in Picton to prepare for the two brand-new ferries arriving in 2029, KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy says. '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. '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, and risks delaying the necessary infrastructure work in Picton. 'Therefore, Aratere will be retired this year, and we will work through the detail of that decision – firstly with our own 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 of Interislander, giving huge service to freight customers and passengers alike since it entered service on Cook Strait in 1999,' Mr Reidy says. 'Moving from three ships to two will mean the loss of some roles but the exact number will depend on the outcome of a consultation process that we will run 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 move to two ferries, and de-risking impacts for the Cook Strait market for the four-year transition 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 due to leave Wellington in late June to go to dry dock in Singapore but we are reviewing that plan as part of the bigger piece of planning now in front of us. 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, we will continue to move rail freight using road-bridging, but we will invest to super-charge this operation to ensure that all rail freight will be serviced at the levels our rail freight customers need and expect,' Mr Reidy says. '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 we will work hard to support our people, our 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.'
