Inter-island Line's new freight ship Purbeck will sail into Wellington Harbour from the UK tomorrow.
Aimed at the ferry operator's commercial freight customers, the ship will make two return crossings a day, with a journey time of just over three and a half hours each way.
Group general manager Thomas Davis said
in a statement today the move to charter a freight vessel tied in with the ferry operator's plan to match capacity better to demand across Cook Strait.
"At present we're capacity constrained, so to grow our future freight volumes and ensure the right capacity mix to suit the freight market -- another roll-on roll-off vessel is vital to our fleet.
"Up until now we have relied on The Lynx to assist with the conveyance of freight, but with Purbeck in our fleet, our tonnage potential will increase enabling us to carry more freight, yet at the same time reduce our lease costs.
Interisland Line is chartering the vessel from joint owners Brittany Ferries and Channel Islands Ship Management.
The vessel should be ready to enter service by the end of June following an inspection by the Maritime Safety Authority -- and providing the port companies in Wellington and Picton modifications to the appropriate berths in time.
- NZPA
