Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand
The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is expressing serious concern following the announcement that the Interislander ferry Aratere is being removed from service indefinitely.
The Union says the loss of the rail-enabled Aratere, a crucial link between the North and South Islands, significantly weakens the resilience of New Zealand’s national supply chain.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the situation highlights the ongoing consequences of Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s decision to cancel the iReX project.
Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union will be engaging in a consultation process with KiwiRail and will be seeking no or minimal job losses for ferry crew.
“MUNZ will be working to ensure our members’ futures are protected during this period of instability caused by poor planning and cancelled investment by Ms Willis.”
Mr Findlay says the announcement is causing concern for maritime workers, transport operators, and the New Zealand public.
“The removal of the Aratere is another blow to the reliability of the Cook Strait crossing, a situation entirely predictable after the cancellation of the iReX project,” says Mr Findlay.
“We consistently warned about the fragility of the ageing ferry fleet. Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s decision to scrap the plan for new, purpose-built ferries has left New Zealand reliant on older vessels prone to failure. Losing the Aratere, especially its rail freight capability, puts immense pressure on the remaining vessels and the entire transport network.”
Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union supported Minister of Rail Hon. Winston Peters work to get a new deal for rail-enabled ferries.
But he says the removal of the Aratere now leaves a major gap for a number of years until the new ferries are in service.
