- 16 September 2021
Service Announcement New Zealand | 16 September 2021
Cook Strait Ferry Services
Following is an update regarding the pending disruption of ferry services across the Cook Strait. KiwiRail is in the position where they will have to remove two ferries from service simultaneously, one for a dry dock survey in Australia and the other for urgent mechanical repairs. Whilst this is scheduled for 20-30 September, we are planning beyond these dates.
As a result, our teams are preparing for this significant event by capturing additional space for road units on the Bluebridge ferry sailings, and container slots on direct coastal services into/out of Auckland. We recommend that customers communicate to their receivers that extended inter-island transits are likely while these impediments remain.
The Mainfreight network allows options to import, store or cross-dock inventory closer to destinations, mitigating cost and network disruption. Our Air & Ocean teams are available to assist with exploring alternative port and distribution options.
Supply chains continue to experience peaks and troughs as global shipping delays and Covid-19 restrictions fluctuate. We expect another challenge to emerge when Auckland moves down Alert Levels, which will require the backlog of undeliverable freight to be cleared from our depots and warehouses as businesses reopen.
Space in our main centre warehouses is now restricted with undelivered freight, and as customers continue to build emergency stock. Longer allowances are required to assist our Warehouse teams to discharge containers and finalise orders during these peaks. Earlier notification of all inward shipments is essential to allow assessment of available space.
All our branches operating under Alert Level 2 are open for customer drop-offs and collections. Auckland depots remain closed under Alert Level 4 and Alert Level 3 restrictions.
We wish to thank our customers for their ongoing support and willingness to work together as we continue to navigate challenges as they arise.