A new inter-island ferry service operating from Whanganui could be profitable, early number crunching suggests.
Midwest Ferries trustee Graham Adams said the company had engaged consultants to produce a detailed business plan and early indications were positive.
"The consultants have advised that the first round of number crunching shows that the service will be profitable with just one ferry to begin with," Mr Adams said.
The ferry proposal is the brainchild of Whanganui businessman Neville Johnson who aims to operate a Whanganui-Motueka service carrying freight and passengers.
His plan envisages a roll-on, roll-off ferry service from Castlecliff to Port Motueka carrying heavy trucks, campervans, cars and passengers, and would be a back-up to the Wellington-Picton service in case of a natural disaster.