Cook Strait ferry project marks a milestone

Ferry Holdings, which took responsibility for New Zealand’s Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Work Program on April 1 this year, has now signed a shipbuilding contract with China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) for the construction of two new state-of-the-art RoPax vessels

These vessels are destined for service linking the North and South islands across New Zealand’s challenging Cook Strait and through the environmentally sensitive environs of the Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound.

Danish-based naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy Knud E. Hansen has supported Ferry Holdings by contributing comprehensive technical expertise from the earliest project stages.

Its involvement has included:

• Development of the initial concept designs
• Preparation and refinement of detailed contract specifications
• Shipyard capability assessments and vetting
• Technical and commercial support during contract negotiations.

With the shipbuilding agreement now in place, Knud E. Hansen will continue to work closely with Ferry Holdings Limited as its technical partner throughout the newbuild program and will remain deeply engaged throughout all phases of design development, construction oversight, and commissioning, right through to vessel delivery.

“We are delighted to support Ferry Holdings in bringing these transformational vessels to reality,” said Javier Suarez, managing director, Knud E. Hansen.

“This fleet renewal represents a major investment in the future of Cook Strait transport, and we are committed to ensuring Ferry Holdings receives vessels of the highest safety, reliability, and performance standards.”

The new RoPax vessels will play a central role in strengthening New Zealand’s transport infrastructure linking the North and South islands with improved capacity and passenger experience for decades to come. The vessels are designed to set a new benchmark for safety, efficiency, environmental sensitivity and reliability on one of the world’s most demanding ferry routes.

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