Strait Shipping - History & Photos

Strait Shipping by Mark Johnston

The company was formed in March 1992 with the purpose of providing an alternative Cook Strait Ferry service to that provided by the New Zealand Railways who had maintained a monopoly position on this service for many years.

The foundation of the service was based on the large volumes of livestock being shipped between the islands by James Barker (owner of Otorohanga Transport Ltd) and a requirement to reduce overall transport costs by providing "walk on" facilities for the stock and eliminating the need for shipping the road transport vehicle. A search for an appropriate vessel located the Straitsman in Tasmania and under a charter arrangement this ship entered service on the 16th April 1992. In addition to the stock movements Strait Shipping were successful in obtaining strong support for Roll on - Roll off cargoes on the vehicle deck ultimately expanding the schedule to include calls to the port of Nelson. As a result of the expanding business, arrangements were made in June 1994 to purchase the Straitsman (64 metres).

With the Straitsman regularly running at full capacity the decision was taken to introduce an additional vessel and in 1995 the ex Caledonian McBrayne vessel Suilven (86.52 metres) as purchased and introduced into service on the 16th October 1995. Both the Straitsman and the Suilven ran fully scheduled services and together offered 15 return crossings between Wellington and Picton, and 3 return crossings between Wellington and Nelson each week.

Suilven did not carry passengers in New Zealand although the passenger accommodation and lounges remained unchanged since her days plying across Scottish waters.

The highlight of any ship visit is a tour of the main engine room. The Suilven engines were in remarkably good condition for her age, with only minor cylinder overhauls required. Her main engines are Wichman marine diesel's type 7AX & her auxiliaries are Three Volvo Penta diesel engines.

In 2001 and second hand vessel Kent (123 metres) started operations which quadrupled the cargo capacity of the company over the two other vessel's in the fleet. In 2002 she was joined by the former French ferry Santa Regina (136 metres) which enabled them to dispose of Straitsman and Suilven to Fijian interests.

A further addition to the fleet occured in 2006 when the Monte Stello, a near sister ship of Santa Regina started service in October 2006. This ship arrived in New Zealand in march 2006 but engine problems delayed her entry into service.