NZ makes key ferry replacement appointments

FERRY Holdings, the company established by the NZ Government to manage the KiwiRail Cook Strait ferry replacement program, has short-listed six builders.

The company’s closed tender procurement process for the design, build and delivery of two new rail/ro-paxes ships has reached another milestone with key suppliers selected to support the long-term shipbuilding process.

Chair Chris Mackenzie stressed that Ferry Holdings is not a Government department “and will be a lean organisation backed by deep expertise.

“Six shipyards with expertise, capability and the capacity to deliver the ships in 2029 have been shortlisted by our Board, and our management team has invited them into the closed tender Request for Proposal (RFP) process ahead of contracts being signed later this year.

“Ferry Holdings has met with all shipyards virtually and shipyard visits are planned over the coming weeks, with Ferry Holdings represented by our Ship Programme Director.”

Key advisor selections have been made for the ship procurement process:

• Naval Architects – Knud E Hansen will support and advise on design and process for the build of the ships.
• Ship Interior Designer – OSK Design will lead the design of the interior ship fitout.
• Maritime Lawyers – Holman Fenwick Willan will provide specialist maritime law expertise across the procurement and build phases.
• Shipbrokers – BRS Shipbrokers will provide specialist commercial maritime expertise across the procurement and build phases.

“In terms of personnel, the company has direct leads on the ship, infrastructure, and commercial finance and legal programmes and is recruiting for a chief executive,” Mr Mackenzie said.

Meanwhile, Massimo Soparano has transitioned from Ferry Procurement Lead at the NZ Treasury to become Ship Programme Director at Ferry Holdings.

Mr Soprano held the same position at Kiwi-Rail’s government-cancelled iReX Cook Strait ferry replacement project and earlier spent almost nine years with Tasmania’s TT Line as marine project manager and head of strategic projects, during which time he oversaw the multi-million dollar refurbishment of Spirit of Tasmania I and II. He also undertook early work for their (since much delayed) replacements,before joining KiwiRail in July 2019.

His iReX position ended last year after the project was wound down following a December 2023 directive by incoming finance minister Nicola Willis.

Mr Soprano, whose LinkedIn profile details extensive maritime industry experience in a range of operational, safety and personnel management roles, including 10 years at sea as a ship’s officer on tanker, dry-cargo and passenger ships before moving to shore based management positions with some of the leading cruise lines both in Australia and in the USA.

Following the abandonment of iReX he returned to Melbourne in August last year and took up the position of general manager of Melbourne-Burnie freight ro-ro operator Strait Link before heading back to NZ in January.