Cook Strait ferry cancellations have ripple affect across livestock industry
Sailings between the islands were ceased on Tuesday, due to strong winds and high swells.
Ferry cancellations in Cook Strait are causing a ripple effect throughout the livestock industry, according to transporters. Strong winds and high swells forced Tuesday's sailings to be stopped, and only one ferry remains in Interislander's working fleet for the next few months. Downlands Deer general manager Kris Orange relies on ferries up to five times a week to transport livestock between the North and South Islands, but the reduced number of vessels has made scheduling more challenging.
One of his trucks was scheduled to cross with cattle on Monday, but the ferry broke down, leading to the rescheduling and subsequent cancellation of the sailing due to weather. This disruption caused other animals to wait longer before being picked up and led Orange to consider renting paddocks or returning animals to the farm if no facilities were available.
The livestock industry is counting on reliable shipping for livestock movement to freezing works and breeding purposes, and Orange hopes newer ferries will join the fleet soon. Interislander is operating a single-ship timetable while its largest ferry, Kaitaki, undergoes maintenance in Singapore, scheduled to return on September 27.
The company emphasizes safety and works to rebook customers on the next available sailing when disruptions occur.
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