The ‘quake severed the rail linkspan and damaged the foot passenger bridge at Interisland’s terminal in Wellington – where the port’s container terminal remains out of service – and the Picton terminal’s buildings suffered suspected structural damage. Now all facilities have been restored or cleared.
 
Interisland Line and competitor Strait Shipping were able to resume limited services in the week after the ‘quake but with major restrictions. Interisland’s rail/ro-pax ARATERE could not operate, however, forcing the company to transfer rail freight to road trailers at either end of the service.
 
The earthquake also severed the South Island’s major north-south road and rail links, leading to Interisland investigating the possible resumption of historic direct ferry services from Wellington to Lyttelton. However, a combination of domestic and international container services has been marshalled by the company to keep freight flowing.
Nevertheless, although ARATERE’s Cook Strait service has resumed trains can only proceed as far south as the Spring Creek freight hub near Blenheim and freight will have to be transferred to trucks for the foreseeable future.
 
Interisland’s three vessels, ARATERE, KAITAKI and KAIAHARI are now providing six crossings daily, escalating to seven for the Christmas peak.
 
© Shippax / Dale Crisp