UNION COMPANY SHIPS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29749, 16 February 1962, Page 5

UNION COMPANY SHIPS

Six Vessels On Order

‘The Press" Special Service

WELLINGTON, Feb. 14.

Including the new vehicular ferry to replace the Rangatira on the Lyttelton service, the Union Steam Ship Company has six vessels on order for its New Zealand, Australian, and trans-Tas-men services. Two are drive-on drive-off vessels for the Australian service, and three are conventional type vessels, in the planning stage, as replacements tor the trans-Tasman fleet.

The New Zealand ferry, said the managing director (Mr H. H. Dobie) would be an 8000-ton ship, still in the designing stage, and due for completion within five years It was being designed to conform with the modification of Wellington and Lyttelton wharves for vehicle loading. Although no name had yet been chosen, said Mr Dobie. it was likely that the name of one of the earlier vessels in the fleet, such as Mararoa or Wahine would be revived. The delivery of the new Aramoana for the New Zealand Railways for the Picton service would probably mean the end for the Tamahine, said Mr Dobie, but no plans for her disposal had been made so far.

The WeMington-Picton service is being maintained until after Easter by the relief steamer Rangatira. The Tamahine will then resume for a short period and will be taken off the run as soon as the Aramoana is ready for service.