Source: New Zealand Government
Ferry Holdings has reached agreement with CentrePort, Port Marlborough and KiwiRail on core infrastructure scope, Rail Minister Winston Peters announced today.
The agreements set out the scope of physical work and equipment to be delivered by 2029 when two new ferries arrive, with port and KiwiRail agreements to be entered later this year to confirm the investment splits between Ferry Holdings and each other company and other commercial terms.
“This is not our first regatta, as this no-nonsense infrastructure focus is what was supposed to happen in 2020 until poor management and a lack of oversight allowed iReX to blow out. We will save the taxpayer billions through our disciplined approach.
“The agreements entered into effectively mean the ports and KiwiRail are in, boots and all, with Cabinet’s preferred low-cost option.
“The focus of the agreements is primarily about the marine infrastructure. In Picton, new wharves and linkspans will be built while in Wellington we will be maximising the use of the existing Aratere infrastructure by modifying and strengthening the existing wharf to suit new ferries for the next 30 years and building a new linkspan.
“The ports and KiwiRail have agreed to minimal scope improvements to the yards, avoiding much of the costly scope creep which occurred under iReX which sought to lift the yards by metres and then complete required reconfigurations. Instead, perfectly good yards will continue to serve us as they have for decades.
“We are pleased to confirm for the locals in Picton that the Dublin Street overbridge will be built – ridding the town of the blocked streets it will experience when freight-laden trains arrive at the port. The road and rail will be grade separated before 2029 as a safety and an efficiency improvement for road and rail.
“The teams at Ferry Holdings, CentrePort, Port Marlborough and KiwiRail are doing an outstanding job in the service of the taxpayer, and we thank them for it,” Mr Peters says.
Ferry Holdings have also released their first Statement of Performance Expectations and Statement of Intent in line with Ministers expectations, outlining the jobs ahead to 2029.
Additional information:
Major components of the Wellington infrastructure:
Reuse existing wharf, extending this by the minimal amount necessary to accommodate the new, larger ships.
Reuse passenger and commercial vehicle facilities, as well as the terminal building.
Reuse as much of the rail yard as possible.
Deliver a new linkspan and connecting infrastructure to ensure a safe, resilient connection between the ship and the shore.
Major components of the Picton infrastructure:
Reuse passenger and commercial vehicle facilities, as well as the terminal building.
Reuse as much of the rail yard as possible.
Relocate the existing passenger walkway and reuse this.
Deliver a new wharf to support the new, larger ships.
Deliver a new linkspan and connecting infrastructure to ensure a safe, resilient connection between the ship and the shore.
A new overbridge at Dublin Street.
Ferry Holdings – Statement of Intent (SOI) and Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE)
SOI – 5 March 2025 – 31 December 2029 outlines the four-year plans for the Ferry Holdings programme of work.
SPE – 5 March 2025 – 30 June 2026 outlines the annual plan for the Ferry Holdings programme of work.
These documents are available on ferryholdings.co.nz (from the time of the announcement).
Ship Procurement Process
Ferry Holdings is managing a closed tender procurement process with six shipyards. There is no update on the process.
The shipyards are competing on price and quality and Ferry Holdings has reported strong engagement by all six shipyards.
After full assessment of proposals, Ferry Holdings will narrow the list of shipyards through a final tender stage.
Ferry Holdings will then make a recommendation to shareholding Ministers before awarding a contract later this year.
