CONTRACT LET FOR ROLL-ON FERRY

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30936, 17 December 1965, Page 16

CONTRACT LET FOR ROLL-ON FERRY

<New Zealand Preu Atiociation)

WELLINGTON. Dec. 16. Mr F. K. Maefariane, ehairman and managingdirector of the Union Steam Ship Company, announced today a contract had been awarded to the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Company of Heng Kong, Ltd, to build a roll-on. roll-off cargo vessel tor the company’s Auckland • Lyttelton - Dunedin trade. The Taikoo company has previously built the Tarawera, Karepo and Karetu tor the company, and recently carried out the modification of the Wellington-Lyttelton steamer express Maori to provide tor roll-on, roll-off facilities in the Wellington-Lyttelton service. The new vessel will be driven by twin-screw diesel engines giving a service speed ■' of 16) knots, and is contracted for delivery at Hong Kong in June, 1967. Principal dimensions will be length, 365 ft: beam. 56ft; loaded draught. 15ft 9in. The ship is designed to carry 2250 tons deadweight of cargo and to operate a regular weekly service between Auckland. Lyttelton and Dunedin. Cargo will be carried on large pallets, vehicles and trailers loaded through a stern door into the main vehicle deck. Large pallets and containers

will also be lifted on to the vessel's after deck by a 15 ton capacity ship crane. Mr Maefariane said the three Harbour Boards concerned were planning the necessary terminal facilities which will include loading ramps, cargo transit sheds, and assembly areas specially strengthened to take heavy vehicles and handling equipment The terminal facilities are to be ready for th beginning of the new service in July, 1967.