PRODUCED BY INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIPS AUSTRALIA
Project

Interislander Ferry Replacement Project

PROJECT STATUS
Announced
Interislander Ferry Replacement Project

The project involves replacing KiwiRail's Interislander fleet ferry service, which links road and rail networks between New Zealand's north and south islands, with two new rail-enabled ferries. It provides a connection between State Highway 1 and the Main Trunk Line across Cook Strait. Interislander operates around 3800 ferry services yearly, transporting nearly 850,000 passengers, 250,000 cars and a significant amount of freight.

The project involves the delivery of:

  • two new rail-enabled ferries, and
  • upgrades to Wellington and Picton Ferry terminals.

 

Funding contributions

NZ Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency: KiwiRail

PROJECT HISTORY

Jul 2021 KiwiRail achieved contract close with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the delivery of two new ferries. The first is expected to arrive in 2025 and the second in 2026. The contract price for the two ferries was NZ$551 million (A$515 million).
Estimated Total Cost
(2021)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2020/05/14
2021/07/01
Project pages
Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment
KiwiRail
Major Contract

Interislander Ferry Replacement Project – Wellington and Picton Terminal Upgrade

PROJECT STATUS
Announced
Interislander Ferry Replacement Project – Wellington and Picton Terminal Upgrade

The Interislander Ferry Replacement Project involves replacing KiwiRail's Interislander fleet ferry service, which links road and rail networks between New Zealand's north and south islands, with two new rail-enabled ferries.

As part of the project, Kaiwharawhara Terminal in Wellington and Waitohi Picton Terminal will be reconfigured to accommodate the new fleet and integrate with the local rail and road infrastructure.

Key Dates

Dec 2019 Project Announcement

Procurement

Procuring Agency: KiwiRail
Procurement note:

The detailed design of both terminals are expected to be procured as a single Terminals Design Services package. A separate procurement process is expected to be conducted for the construction of the terminals. As of August 2021, whether the construction of the terminals will be packaged together has not been confirmed. 
Related contracts:
Detailed Design
Successful Tenderer - WSP and Jacobs

PROJECT HISTORY

Dec 2019 A community engagement session was held for the redevelopment of Picton Ferry Precinct.
Mar 2020 The plans for redevelopment of Picton Ferry Precinct were opened for further public consultation. The consultation period ended in April 2020.
Jun 2020 KiwiRail issued a Notices of Information for the market engagement process for construction and maintenance of the Picton Ferry Terminal Project. The New Zealand Government also announced the resource consent approval for the Picton Ferry Dock and Terminal Upgrade will be fast-tracked under the COVID-19 Recovery Bill. This would reduce the consenting time to 45 to 70 working days.
Oct 2020 KiwiRail issued another Notice of Information updating the market that the procurement commencement for the Waitohi Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment is now expected in the first quarter of 2021.
2020 In late 2020, KiwiRail and Port Marlborough engaged with the market on the Picton Ferry Terminal Upgrade and expressed their preference to procure the design and construction of the new ferry terminal as a 'pure Alliance' contract.
May 2021 The project was approved by the expert consenting panel under the fast-track consenting process.
Aug 2021 Issuing a Notice of Information to the market, KiwiRail, CentrePort and Port Marlborough announced they no longer seek to procure the design and construction of the new Picton Ferry Terminal as an Alliance contract, as announced in late 2020. Instead the design of both Wellington and Picton ferry terminal upgrades are now expected to be procured as a single design-only contract, termed the 'Terminals Design Services' package. A separate procurement process would be conducted for the construction of the terminals.
Sep 2021 Kiwirail opened a Request for Tender process for Terminal Design Services, closing on 26 October.
Oct 2021 Kiwirail released updated concept designs for the Waitohi Picton Terminal. The new designs incorporate new rail connection designs, removal of requirement for back-up ferry berth, and reduction of overbridge size.
Feb 2022 WSP and Jacobs were awarded the Detailed Design contract for the project.
Estimated Total Cost
(2021)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2021/05/06
2021/10/28
2022/02/10
Tender notices
2020/10/30
2021/08/25
Terminal Design Services
Project pages
New Interislander Project
Major Contract

Interislander Ferry Replacement Project – Ferry Procurement

PROJECT STATUS
Awarded
Interislander Ferry Replacement Project – Ferry Procurement

The project involves replacing KiwiRail's Interislander fleet ferry service, which links road and rail networks between New Zealand's north and south islands, with two new rail-enabled ferries.

At 220 metres long, the new ships will be significantly larger than the current vessels.The capacity requirements for each new ferry include the ability to transport:

  • 40 rail wagons 
  • aound 3,000 lane metres for vehicles, and 
  • about 1,800 passengers.

This accounts for 300 per cent more rail wagon, almost double the number of vehicles and twice as many passengers compared to the capacity of the current three-ship fleet.

Key Dates

Aug 2019 EOIs Open
May 2020 RFP Open
Dec 2020 Contract Award
Jul 2021 Preferred Bidder Selection
Aug 2021 Expected Construction Commencement
Dec 2026 Expected Construction Completion

Funding contributions

NZ Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency: KiwiRail
Successful Tenderer: Hyundai Mipo Dockyard
Related contracts:
Electric Propulsion System (EPS) Supply
Successful Tenderer - Siemens Energy

PROJECT HISTORY

Aug 2019 KiwiRail commenced Expression of Interest process for the procurement of a shipyard to build the new ships.
Feb 2020 KiwiRail completed the Request for Information process for the procurement of a shipyard to build the new ships.
May 2020 KiwiRail issued Request for Proposals to shortlisted shipyards to deliver the two ships. The shortlist was not publicly disclosed.
Dec 2020 Hyundai Mipo Dockyard was named as the preferred proponent to deliver the two new Interislander ferries.
Jul 2021 KiwiRail achieved contract close with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the delivery of two new ferries. The first is expected to arrive in 2025 and the second in 2026. The contract price for the two ferries was NZ$551 million (A$515 million).
Sep 2021 Kiwirail's $350 million loan facility for the purchase of the replacement ferries has been certified as a green investment by the Climate Bond Initiative.
May 2022 Kiwi Rail awarded Siemens Energy the contract to supply the integrated Electric Propulsion System (EPS) for the Interislander’s new rail-enabled ferries.
Estimated Total Cost
(2021)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2021/07/01
2020/12/22
2020/05/27
2020/05/14
2021/09/21
2022/05/23
Project pages
KiwiRail
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