A new vessel has been added to the Cook Strait sailing route after the Strait Feronia finally finished its epic 45 day journey from Sweden to Wellington.
The Strait Feronia sailed 11,675 nautical miles to its new home, where it will officially join the Strait Shipping fleet sailing between Wellington and Picton in late June, under the Bluebridge livery.
The vessel was purchased by Strait Shipping in January, and has since received a major makeover in Sweden, including a complete refurbishment of the main passenger area, new radars and other bridge equipment and a fresh paint job.
Strait Shipping also commissioned the development of a Strait Feronia-specific simulator, which enabled company masters to experience in real time how the ship will perform in local conditions. The simulator model allowed the masters and officers to experience realistic scenarios ranging from berthing in high winds in Wellington to entering Tory Channel during a southerly storm.
Strait Shipping managing director Sheryl Ellison says the ship's arrival is another milestone in the company's history of meeting its customers demand on the Cook Strait.
