Interislander has confirmed it will buy the former CLdN roro VALENTINE to provide resilience and secure freight capacity heading into the busy summer and Christmas period.
Interislander leased the roro in November 2021 to provide freight capacity across Te Moana-o-Raukawa Cook Strait while repairs were undertaken on the KAIARAHI gearbox.
KiwiRail has exercised the purchase option, buying the ship from Gotland Shipping (see our news from 2 December 2021).
It has now finally become easier to enter Norway. People who are fully vaccinated or who have had COVID-19 during the past six months are exempt from entry quarantine.
Currently, only a certificate (Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or EU digital COVID-19 certificate) with a QR code that can be verified by Norwegian authorities is considered to be a secure and verifiable way to document vaccination or having had COVID-19.
Color Line: a few weeks ago the service between Oslo and Kiel was resumed. The service between Sandefjord and Strömstad will restart with COLOR HYBRID on Monday July 5.
COLOR VIKING returns mid July.
DFDS: Oslo – Frederikshavn – Copenhagen route will resume sailings on 2 July for PEARL SEAWAYS and 3 July for CROWN SEAWAYS. Passenger capacity is reduced.
Fjord Line: both STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD are in normal operation. The new FJORD FSTR makes one daily round trip between Kristiansand and Hirtshals. This becomes 2 return trips as from July 1.
The reintroduction of OSLOFJORD is imminent, after a test crossing between Norway and Sweden on June 30.
After a slow start to 2021, there looks to be light at the end of the tunnel as demand for RoRos begins to surge post pandemic.
Dan Nash, Head of VesselsValue RoRos, explores what has been happening in the RoRo market with supply versus demand and heightened S&P activity providing an opportune climate for those looking to buy.
Interislander to Replace Ferries with Rail-Ready Fleet
Kiwirail has confirmed plans to replace its Interislander fleet with two new larger, rail-enabled ferries.
The new ships will carry more freight, cars and passengers than the current three fleets: KAITAKI, KAIARAHI and ARATERE. At this stage, Interislander will still make up to six sailings a day.
Interislander ferry operator KiwiRail is officially on the hunt for two new vessels that will dwarf its existing fleet.
The vessels, expected to be brought into service by 2024, will need to accommodate 40 rail wagons, about 3,000 lane metres for vehicles, and room for about 1,800 passengers each, according to tender documents.
KiwiRail has confirmed plans to replace its three ageing Cook Strait ferries with two new, larger, purpose-built rail ferries.
KiwiRail’s decision follows a two-year consultation process which found rail-enabled ferries were the most cost effective, efficient and best in the long-term.