DEV Aratere is a roll-on/roll-off rail and vehicle ferry operated by KiwiRail in New Zealand. Built in 1998 for the then private company Tranz Rail and lengthened in 2011, she operates four daily crossings on the "Interislander" service across Cook Strait from WellingtontoPicton each day (with six crossings over the December/January period).
As of 2024[update], Aratere is New Zealand's only rail ferry.[2] When the vessel is not available, rail freight between the North and South Islands must be transferred to trucks, driven onto other Cook Strait ferries, and then transferred back to rail after the crossing, with associated additional time and cost.[3]
In 1997, Tranz Rail ordered a new ferry to replace Aratika. The shipbuilding contract for the new vessel, named Aratere, was awarded to Hijos de J. Barreras in Vigo, Spain.[4]
She was laid down in November 1997 and launched on 8 September 1998. The was handed over to Tranz Rail on 16 December 1998.[5]
Aratere departed Spain for New Zealand on 16 December 1998. Her voyage took longer than anticipated. On 20 December, fuses on the starboard motors blew. When the replacement fuses were fitted, they blew as well. The following day, the couplings connecting the gearboxes with the port motors failed, leaving Aratere adrift in the South Atlantic. The couplings were removed from the starboard motor and used for the port ones.[6]
In 2011, Aratere underwent a $52 million refit at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore,[7] increasing her capacity from 360 to 600 passengers. The refit included a new bow and stern. The ship was lengthened by cutting her in half to insert a new 30-metre (98 ft) midsection.[8]
Aratere has been involved in several technical problems and engine failures over her years in service. There is no official relationship between these incidents, though the media have stoked speculation that the ferry may be jinxed and she has earned the nickname "El Lemon".[9][10]
5 July 2003 – Aratere collided with a moored fishing vessel in Wellington Harbour.[13]
1 October 2004 – "30 seconds of potential disaster" after Aratere had a steering fault in the Marlborough Sounds.[14]
10 February 2005 – Aratere was detained after a "crisis of confidence" with inspectors noting that she had arrived from Spain six years earlier in a shocking state. They could no longer allow her to operate as she was.[15] She was eventually allowed to sail again on 15 March.[16][17]
After the extensive refit carried out in Singapore in 2011, she has once again experienced numerous incidents, including engine failures.[18] On 2 November 2011 Maritime NZ ordered the ship to stop operating until proven safe.[19]
On 5 November 2013, Aratere snapped a drive shaft, losing a propeller in Cook Strait. This initially forced the ship out of service, causing disruption to Interislander schedules.[20][21] Subsequently, the ship was allowed to make freight only crossings with only one propeller for propulsion.[22]
21 June 2024 – Aratere suffered a steering loss causing her to run aground shortly after leaving Picton harbour. She was refloated at 9pm the next night by the Maungatea and Monowai tugs as well as with her own engines 24 hours after the incident occurred.[23][24]
Profile of Aratere in 2009, prior to her lengthening
Aratere has both rail and vehicle decks. These can be loaded simultaneously through the stern via a double linkspan. A lower hold has additional space for cars, though access to this hold was blocked off after the refit in Singapore.[25]
Aratere operates six crossings of the Cook Strait each day (three passenger, three freight). In late 2009, Aratere celebrated her 20,000th crossing, having travelled around 2 million kilometres.[26]
New Zealand