Project

Interislander Ferry Replacement Project

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
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.

Tthe new 220m long ferries will be significantly larger than the current vessels and be able to transport more people, cars and freight, with the sister ships able to transport both rail and truck freight. The terminal upgrades will also bring the existing structures up to modern safety standards and make them more compatible with the new ferries. 

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).
Sep 2022 KiwiRail opened Expressions of Interest for suppliers and construction partners for the Terminals Linkspan, Gangway and Marine Equipment Package, closing on 14 October.
Estimated Total Cost
(2022)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2020/05/14
2021/07/01
Tender notices
2022/09/09
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
Jul 2021 Contract Award
Jul 2021 Preferred Bidder Selection
Aug 2021 Expected Construction Commencement
Dec 2026 Operations/Service Commencement

Funding contributions

NZ Government

Procurement

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

Ferry Engine Supply
Successful Tenderer - MAN Energy Solutions

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.
Aug 2022 Kiwi Rail announced German multi-national MAN Energy Solutions has been selected to supply the main generator engines for its new hybrid-electric fleet.
Estimated Total Cost
(2021)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Project pages
KiwiRail
Major Contract

Waitohi Picton - Interislander Ferry Terminal Replacement

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
Waitohi Picton - Interislander Ferry Terminal Replacement

The Interislander Ferry Terminal at Waitohi Picton is being redeveloped as part of the Interislander Ferry Replacement project. 

Delivery of the terminal has been split into four main works packages: 

  • Terminal Construction
  • Railway Civils and Construction
  • Marine and Structures, and
  • Civil Works

The Terminal at Waitohi Picton  is being procured separately to the terminal at Kaiwharawhara Wellington. 

Key Dates

Dec 2019 Project Announcement
Jun 2022 RFT Open: Terminal Marine and Structures package and/or Civil wo
Jun 2022 RFT Open: Terminal Building Construction Services
Aug 2022 RFT Open: Mechanical Depot Construction Services
Aug 2022 RFT Open: Rail Civils and Railway Construction Services
2023 Expected Construction Commencement

Procurement

Procuring Agency: KiwiRail
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.
Jun 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for the Terminal Marine and Structures package and/or Civil works, closing on the 15th of July.
Jun 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for the Terminal Building Construction Services, closing on the 7th of July.
Jul 2022 Enabling works for the project commenced.
Aug 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for the Mechanical Depot Construction Services, closing 22nd of September.
Aug 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for the Rail Civils and Railway Construction Services, closing on the 28th of September.
Oct 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for Main Works Management, Surveillance and Quality Assurance, and MSQA Services for the project, closing on the 4th of November.
Major Contract

Kaiwharawhara Wellington - Interislander Ferry Terminal Replacement

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
Kaiwharawhara Wellington - Interislander Ferry Terminal Replacement

The Interislander Ferry Terminal at Kaiwharawhara Wellington is being redeveloped as part of the Interislander Ferry Replacement project. 

Delivery of the terminal has been split into four main works packages: 

  • Terminal Construction
  • Railway Civils and Construction
  • Marine and Structures, and
  • Civil Works

The Terminal at Kaiwharawhara Wellington is being procured separately to the terminal at Waitohi Picton.

Key Dates

Jun 2022 RFT Open: Terminal Marine and Civil Works
Jun 2022 RFT Open: Terminal Building Services
2025 Expected Construction Completion

Procurement

Procuring Agency: KiwiRail

PROJECT HISTORY

May 2021 The project was approved by the expert consenting panel under the fast-track consenting process.
Sep 2021 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for Terminal Design Services, closing on 26 October.
Nov 2021 Public consultation on the Kaiwharawhara terminal opened, closing on the 30th of November.
Feb 2022 WSP and Jacobs were awarded the Detailed Design contract for the project.
Jun 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for the Terminal Marine and Civil main works, closing on the 18th of July.
Jun 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for the Terminal Building Construction Services, closing on the 8th of July.
Oct 2022 KiwiRail opened a Request for Tender process for Main Works Management, Surveillance and Quality Assurance, and MSQA Services for the project, closing on the 4th of November.
Jan 2023 The Expert Consenting Panel granted resource consent and confirmed the Notice of Requirement for the Kaiwharawhara Wellington Ferry terminal upgrade.
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources