Private ferry operators and infrastructure investors had 'strong appetite' for Cook Strait opportunities

European operator DFDS took part in the market sounding, as did Stena RoRo, which chartered this ship to DFDS. (Image: Stena RoRo)

Oliver Lewis

Mon, 19 May 2025

Several European and Australian ferry operators expressed interest in running a Cook Strait ferry service as part of a market sounding process earlier this year.Several high-profile infrastructure investors – including Infratil manager Morrison, Igneo Infrastructure Partners, Queensland Investment Corporation and British investor John Laing Group – also took part in the three-and-a-half week exercise, which was run by Treasury in February.Officials were seeking alternative service configurations and procurement models to test agains...

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