It is exactly one year since the New Zealand Government decided to pull the plug on KiwiRail’s iRex plan to build two new rail-enabled RoPax ferries for Interislander. Reason: ballooning costs, up to 3 billion NZD (1.653 billion EUR).
On Wednesday 11 December, the Government announced new plans:
- New Zealand Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries for the Cook Strait. Cabinet has agreed to capitalise the new company with NZD 4 million of equity.
- The ferries are expected to begin operation in 2029 (three years later than the cancelled iRex ferries)
- The Ministerial Advisory Group’s recommendation is for the ships to be medium-sized RoPax vessels, approximately 200m in length. This is larger than the current ferries but smaller than the iReX ferries.
- Will the new ferries be rail-enabled? “The new ferries will be rail compatible” (…)
- Expected cost: commercially confidential until procurement and negotiations for the associated landside infrastructure have been completed.
- First stage of the procurement process in March, after which final decisions on next steps will be taken.
- Opportunity: alternative proposals will be assessed alongside the initial procurement results in March.
Read official statements from the Government and KiwiRail
New ferries will ensure safe, resilient connection
Press conference
Press release KiwiRail
KiwiRail welcomes announcement on future ferries for Cook Strait
Photo Kiwirail: KAITAKI passing through Whekenui Bay
