Ferry ordered from France

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 3

Ferry ordered from France

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 11. A contract for the construction of a fourth Cook Strait ferry has been let to the French firm, Dubigeon-Normandie, Ltd. It will cost about s9m and is to be delivered early in 1974.

The Minister of Railways (Mr Gordon) said today that five tenders had been received—from Japan, Canada, France, Britain and Denmark. “In evaluating these tenders, consideration had to be given to a number of variable factors, including the delivery dates offered, long and short-term costs, availability and cost of credit, any likely escalation of costs during construction, and the stability of the shipyards concerned," he said. “Furthermore, it was desired to achieve the greatest possible degree of standardisation with the third ferry, Arahanga, now under construction. Having regard to all factors, the tender submitted by Dubigeon-Norman-

die, Ltd, was clearly the most | acceptable.” The new ferry will be similar in size to the Arahanga, which is due to be completed by the Upper Clyde Shipbuilding Company, Ltd, of Scotland, later this year. Both will be considerably larger than the existing vessels Aranui and Aramoana. The new vessel, like the Arahanga, will be designed for freight only, although limited passenger accommodation will be provided for truck drivers. Railway wi. ,gons will be carried on four tracks with a total capacity of 50 fourwheel waggons, compared with the 30 waggons the present vessels can carry.