CentrePort today joined Minister for Rail Winston Peters in announcing the Government’s investment to continue progressing the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement programme.
CentrePort Board Chair Lachie Johnstone stated CentrePort remains committed to supporting this project and working collaboratively with the multiple parties involved. He echoed the Minister’s comments about the new ferries being a generational investment that considers value, resilience, and sustainability.
He added that CentrePort places high value on these elements as a private entity owned by two shareholding councils and this project will provide for the benefit, safety, and resilience of freight and passengers across the Cook Strait.
Johnstone noted that confirming a ‘minimum viable and maximum reuse’ approach to the project’s maritime infrastructure will still offer long-term benefits and allows for the region’s longer-term aspirations for a multi-user ferry terminal located at Kaiwharawhara, which would be considered in the future.
The design specification requires that connections to the new ferries by vehicle, rail car, or on foot from the port will meet a 30-year operational lifespan.
CentrePort looks forward to working with Ferry Holdings, KiwiRail, Port Marlborough, and Government Ministers as the Ferry Replacement Programme progresses and to celebrating further milestones on the passage to new ferries being delivered and put into service from 2029.
