Old femes Sold

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 2

Old femes Sold

PA Blenheim The two former Cook Strait ferries, Aramoana and Aranui have been sold to a Saudi Arabian company. The Railways Corporation said yesterday that a contract had been negotiated with NAJD Marine agencies of Jiddah. It was expected that the vessels would be taken over by the company within the next four days and would leave Wellington within a fortnight.

The corporation's assistant general manager, Mr Robert Henare, would not disclose the price paid for the ships, but said it was a good price considering the world market for roll-on vessels. The contract was signed on Tuesday. Two other recent offers were received for the ships, - one from the United Kingdom and the other from New Zealand, he said. The offers were accepted

by the -corporation, but the interests were unable to raise the necessary money. The. two ferries have been berthed at Wellington since they came off the Cook Strait run, the Aramoana in March last year and the Aranui last June. Mr Henare said that during that time the corporation had had to pay some minor berthage fees, two watchmen’s wages, and for the occasional firing up of the engines.