{{short description|New Zealand transport company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2017}} {{infobox company | name = StraitNZ Limited | former_name = Strait Shipping<br>Bluebridge | logo = Straitnz logo.png | type = | industry = Passenger and freight shipping, freight forwarding and logistics | genre = | fate = | predecessor = Strait Shipping, Streamline Freight, Freight Lines | successor = | founder = Jim Barker and Dennis Dow | defunct = | area_served = [[New Zealand]] | key_people = | products = | services = | revenue = NZ$175 million (2021) | operating_income = | net_income = NZ$45 million (2021) | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = 500 (2021) | parent = [[Morgan Stanley]] Infrastructure Partners (2022–present) | divisions = | subsid = Bluebridge<br />StraitNZ Freight Forwarding<br />StraitNZ Linehaul | footnotes = | intl = | caption = | foundation = {{Start date and age|p=y|1992}} | location_city = | location_country = | location = [[Wellington]], New Zealand | locations = | homepage = [http://www.straitnz.co.nz www.straitnz.co.nz] }} '''StraitNZ''', formerly '''Strait Shipping''', is a [[New Zealand]] transport firm that operates [[roll-on/roll-off]] freight and passenger shipping across [[Cook Strait]] between [[Wellington]] in the [[North Island]] and [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] in the [[South Island]], and trucking and logistics services across New Zealand.<ref name="straitnz_story">{{cite web|url=https://www.straitnz.co.nz/about/our-story/|title=Strait NZ – Our Story|accessdate=10 May 2019|archive-date=4 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504205224/https://www.straitnz.co.nz/about/our-story/|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally a freight-only service, passenger services commenced in 2002 and operate under the '''Bluebridge''' brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/aboutus|title=Bluebridge – About Us|accessdate=10 May 2019|archive-date=8 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608000746/http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/aboutus/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="straitstory">{{cite web |url=http://www.straitshipping.co.nz/about-us/the-strait-shipping-story/ |title=The Strait Shipping story |publisher=Strait Shipping |accessdate=7 February 2015 |archive-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210113625/http://www.straitshipping.co.nz/about-us/the-strait-shipping-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2021, Bluebridge holds 56% of the market for vehicle freight and 31% of the market for passenger services across Cook Strait.<ref name=":0" /> The company was acquired on 31 March 2022 by [[Morgan Stanley]] <ref>{{cite web |title=Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners Completes Investment in StraitNZ Holdings Limited|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220331005841/en/Morgan-Stanley-Infrastructure-Partners-Completes-Investment-in-StraitNZ-Holdings-Limited/ |website=Business Wire |access-date=2022-12-19 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219144853/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220331005841/en/Morgan-Stanley-Infrastructure-Partners-Completes-Investment-in-StraitNZ-Holdings-Limited/ |archive-date=2022-12-19 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History == The company has its origins in Otorohanga Transport, founded by Jim Barker and Dennis Dow in 1963.<ref name="jimbarkerobit">{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/84084926/obituary-transport-giant-jim-barkers-legacy-will-be-felt-for-decades-to-come|title=Obituary: Transport giant Jim Barker's legacy will be felt for decades to come|publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|date=9 September 2016|accessdate=10 May 2019|author=Charles Riddle|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509211508/https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/84084926/obituary-transport-giant-jim-barkers-legacy-will-be-felt-for-decades-to-come|url-status=live}}</ref>
Inter-island ferry operations began in 1992 as Strait Shipping Limited,<ref name=straitstory/> as a way for Barker to provide more affordable inter-island ferry services for his trucking group. Ferries between the North and South Islands of New Zealand were then monopolised by the [[Interislander|Interisland Line]], owned by the then state-owned enterprise [[Tranz Rail|New Zealand Rail]] (privatised in 1993 and renamed Tranz Rail in 1995). As of 2022, the two companies still hold a duopoly on interisland ferry services.<ref>Crossing the Cook Strait ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' July 2022 pages 65/66</ref>
As well as operating across the [[Cook Strait]] between Wellington and Picton, Strait Shipping has in the past also operated freight shipping between Wellington and [[Napier, New Zealand|Napier]], also in the North Island, and [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] and [[Lyttelton, New Zealand|Lyttelton]] in the South Island.
Bluebridge was launched as the passenger service brand of Strait Shipping in 2003.<ref name="straitsold" />
In 2016, Strait Shipping was sold to Australian-based Champ Private Equity Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/aust-company-buys-cook-strait-ferries|title=Australian Company Buys Cook Strait Ferries|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=6 December 2016|accessdate=10 May 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510091006/https://www.odt.co.nz/business/aust-company-buys-cook-strait-ferries|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="straitsold">{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/87253175/new-zealand-transport-companies-sold-new-owner-eyes-growth|title=New Zealand transport companies sold, new owner eyes growth|publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|author=Chloe Winter|date=6 December 2016|accessdate=10 May 2019|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509205953/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/87253175/new-zealand-transport-companies-sold-new-owner-eyes-growth|url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, Champ Group also purchased trucking companies Freight Lines and Streamline Freight, which had both been separately owned by the Barker family.<ref name="straitsold" /> At the time, the trucking and ferry companies owned by the Barker family were estimated to employ around 750 people.
On 29 March 2018 Strait Shipping Limited was renamed StraitNZ,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/538668/25639007/entityFilingRequirement?backurl=%2Fcompanies%2Fapp%2Fui%2Fpages%2Fcompanies%2F538668%2Fdocuments%3Fbackurl%3DH4sIAAAAAAAAAC2LMQrDMAxFb%252BOlQ04gSqYuGQruBYQlEkEjq7IcyO1rQrb%252FHu9Phiu3qdTdUGWsxuhle%252B6VGFqgEjqlOI2BNSRGkn6Qw1HikTcxE10T0oFamN6o%252FIXwzumqz884NpiX5eYcGL29vHa79B9a9eYrfwAAAA%253D%253D|title=Particulars of Name Change|publisher=[[Companies Office]]|accessdate=10 May 2019|date=29 March 2018|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405040425/https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/538668/25639007/entityFilingRequirement?backurl=%2Fcompanies%2Fapp%2Fui%2Fpages%2Fcompanies%2F538668%2Fdocuments%3Fbackurl%3DH4sIAAAAAAAAAC2LMQrDMAxFb%2BOlQ04gSqYuGQruBYQlEkEjq7IcyO1rQrb%2FHu9Phiu3qdTdUGWsxuhle%2B6VGFqgEjqlOI2BNSRGkn6Qw1HikTcxE10T0oFamN6o%2FIXwzumqz884NpiX5eYcGL29vHa79B9a9eYrfwAAAA%3D%3D|url-status=live}}</ref> with passenger services continuing to operate under the Bluebridge brand.<ref name="straitnz_story" /> Sister companies Freight Lines and Streamline <ref name="straitsold" /> were rebranded as "StraitNZ Linehaul" and "StraitNZ Freight Forwarding"<ref name="straitnz_story" /> respectively. That year, a 25% stake in the company was acquired by [[Macquarie Group|Macquarie]].
In December 2021, the StraitNZ Group was sold by Champ Private Equity and Macquarie to [[Morgan Stanley|Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners]], for a reported sale price of NZ$500 million.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-22 |title=StraitNZ owner sells ferry and freightforwarding business – reports |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/458419/straitnz-owner-sells-ferry-and-freightforwarding-business-reports |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726134525/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/458419/straitnz-owner-sells-ferry-and-freightforwarding-business-reports |url-status=live }}</ref> The acquisition was completed in March 2022.
As of 2021, StraitNZ’s Bluebridge ferry unit was reported to have a 56% market share for [[Cook Strait]] vehicle freight, and a 31% market share for passenger services. The remaining share is held by [[Interislander]], a subsidiary of New Zealand Government-owned [[KiwiRail]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=John Haddock's CPE Capital sells Jaybro, StraitNZ for $1.1b |url=https://www.afr.com/street-talk/john-haddock-s-cpe-capital-sells-jaybro-straitnz-for-1-1b-20211214-p59hjg |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=[[Australian Financial Review]]|language=en |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726134449/https://www.afr.com/street-talk/john-haddock-s-cpe-capital-sells-jaybro-straitnz-for-1-1b-20211214-p59hjg |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Fleet==
=== Current === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Image !Shipyard !Launched !Entered service !Port of registry !Tonnage !Notes |- |[[MV Connemara|''Connemara'']] |[[File:StraitNZ_Connemara.jpg|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|Italy}} [[Cantiere Navale Visentini]], [[Porto Viro]], [[Italy]] |2007 |2023 |{{Flagicon|Bahamas|variant=civil}} [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], [[Bahamas]] |27,414 [[Gross tonnage|GT]] |<ref>{{cite news |title=Stena RoRo's Connemara reportedly off to a new life with New Zealand's StraitNZ's Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries |url=https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-roros-connemara-reportedly-off-to-a-new-life-with-new-zealands-straitnzs-bluebridge-cook-strait-ferries.aspx |access-date=1 December 2022 |work=Shippax |date=11 November 2022 |location=Halmstad |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201234813/https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-roros-connemara-reportedly-off-to-a-new-life-with-new-zealands-straitnzs-bluebridge-cook-strait-ferries.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |[[MV Livia|''Livia'']] |[[File:Stena_Livia_-_Stena_Line_(51132114355).jpg|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|Italy}} [[Cantiere Navale Visentini]], [[Porto Viro]], [[Italy]] |2008 |2025 <ref>{{cite news |last1=Gibbens |first1=Krystal |title=Scores ignore rain to welcome new Bluebridge ferry |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/565834/scores-ignore-rain-to-welcome-new-bluebridge-ferry |access-date=3 July 2025 |agency=Radio New Zealand |date=3 July 2025}}</ref> | {{Flagicon|Bahamas|variant=civil}} [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], [[Bahamas]] |26,904 [[Gross tonnage|GT]] |<ref>{{cite news |title=StraitNZ upgrades Cook Strait ferry fleet with new ship |date=21 March 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360623524/straitnz-upgrades-cook-strait-ferry-fleet-new-ship |access-date= }}</ref> |}
===Past=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Image !Shipyard !Launched !Entered service !Retired !Tonnage !Notes |- |[[MV Straitsman (1972)|''Straitsman (1972)'']] | |{{Flagicon|Australia|civil}} [[NQEA]], [[Cairns]], [[Australia]] |1972 |1992 |2004 |{{GT|1,481}} |Strait Shipping's first vessel. It transported livestock and launched Strait Shipping's service across Cook Strait between Wellington, Picton and Nelson. In service until replaced by ''Santa Regina'' in 2002.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Our Company – Our Fleet |url=https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=www.bluebridge.co.nz |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173011/https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/ |url-status=usurped}}</ref> |- |''[[MV Suilven|Suilven]]'' |[[File:The Stornoway ferry off Ullapool - geograph.org.uk - 1552974.jpg|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|Norway}} [[Moss Verft]], [[Moss, Norway]] |1974 |1995 |2004 |{{GT|3,638}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- |''Kent'' | |{{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Ishikawajima-Harima|Ishikawajima-Harima Shipyard]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] |1977 |2001 |2010 |{{GT|6,862}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- |''[[MS Santa Regina|Santa Regina]]'' |[[File:Bluebridge Santa Regina in Picton 20100121 4.jpg|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|France}} {{ill|Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre|fr}}, [[Le Havre]], [[France]] |1985 |2002 |2015 |14,588 [[Gross tonnage|GT]] |<ref name=":2" /> |- |''Monte Stello'' |[[File:Monte Stello one of Bluebridges interisland ferries -Picton harbour, New Zealand-15Oct2010.jpg|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|France}} {{ill|Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre|fr}}, [[Le Havre]], [[France]] |1979 |2006 |2010 |{{GT|11,630}} |Lost power in [[Tory Channel]] on 2 May 2008.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |date=25 March 2010 |title=Passenger Ferry Monte Stello, Loss of Power, Tory Channel, 2 May 2008 |url=https://taic.org.nz/inquiry/mo-2008-203 |accessdate=10 May 2019 |publisher=[[Transport Accident Investigation Commission]] |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510090739/https://taic.org.nz/inquiry/mo-2008-203 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |[[MV Islander|''Straitsman (2005)'']] |[[File:Straitsman Ferry.JPG|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|Netherlands}} {{ill|Volharding Shipyards|nl}}, Netherlands |2005 |2010 |2023 |{{GT|13,906}} |Now operated by [[Condor Ferries]] in the [[United Kingdom]] |- |''[[Strait Feronia]]'' |[[File:Strait Feronia Wellington En Route to Picton (26693776091) (cropped).jpg|200x200px]] |{{Flagicon|Italy}} [[Cantiere Navale Visentini]], [[Porto Viro]], [[Italy]] |1997 |2015 |2025 |21,856 [[Gross tonnage|GT]] |Replaced by ''Livia'';<ref name="Blueridge102025">{{cite web |title=Our company: Our Fleet |url=https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/ |publisher=StraitNZ |access-date=4 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004163747/https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/ |archive-date=4 October 2025 |location=Wellington NZ |url-status=live}}</ref> sold to Egypt in September 2025 for Red Sea service as ''Pan Lily''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crisp |first1=Dale |title=Red Sea future for Cook Strait ro-pax |url=https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/red-sea-future-for-cook-strait-ro-pax |access-date=4 October 2025 |work=[[Daily Cargo News]]|date=29 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004174524/https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/red-sea-future-for-cook-strait-ro-pax |archive-date=4 October 2025 |location=Sydney NSW |url-status=live}}</ref> | |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.straitnz.co.nz StraitNZ website] *[http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/ Bluebridge website]
{{Macquarie Group}} {{Morgan Stanley}}
[[Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions]] {{New Zealand inter-island ferries}} [[Category:Ferry companies of New Zealand]] [[Category:Companies based in Wellington]] [[Category:Cook Strait Ferry]] [[Category:Picton, New Zealand]] [[Category:Transport companies of New Zealand]] [[Category:New Zealand companies established in 1992]] [[Category:Transport companies established in 1992]] [[Category:Morgan Stanley]] [[Category:Wellington Waterfront]]