# StraitNZ

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New Zealand transport company

StraitNZ Limited Formerly Strait Shipping Bluebridge Industry Passenger and freight shipping, freight forwarding and logistics Predecessor Strait Shipping, Streamline Freight, Freight Lines Founder Jim Barker and Dennis Dow Area served New Zealand Revenue NZ$175 million (2021) Net income NZ$45 million (2021) Number of employees 500 (2021) Parent Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners (2022–present)

**StraitNZ**, formerly **Strait Shipping**, is a [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) transport firm that operates [roll-on/roll-off](/source/Roll-on%2Froll-off) freight and passenger shipping across [Cook Strait](/source/Cook_Strait) between [Wellington](/source/Wellington) in the [North Island](/source/North_Island) and [Picton](/source/Picton%2C_New_Zealand) in the [South Island](/source/South_Island), and trucking and logistics services across New Zealand.[1] Originally a freight-only service, passenger services commenced in 2002 and operate under the **Bluebridge** brand.[2][3] As of 2021, Bluebridge holds 56% of the market for vehicle freight and 31% of the market for passenger services across Cook Strait.[4] The company was acquired on 31 March 2022 by [Morgan Stanley](/source/Morgan_Stanley) [5]

## History

The company has its origins in Otorohanga Transport, founded by Jim Barker and Dennis Dow in 1963.[6]

Inter-island ferry operations began in 1992 as Strait Shipping Limited,[3] 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 [Interisland Line](/source/Interislander), owned by the then state-owned enterprise [New Zealand Rail](/source/Tranz_Rail) (privatised in 1993 and renamed Tranz Rail in 1995). As of 2022, the two companies still hold a duopoly on interisland ferry services.[7]

As well as operating across the [Cook Strait](/source/Cook_Strait) between Wellington and Picton, Strait Shipping has in the past also operated freight shipping between Wellington and [Napier](/source/Napier%2C_New_Zealand), also in the North Island, and [Nelson](/source/Nelson%2C_New_Zealand) and [Lyttelton](/source/Lyttelton%2C_New_Zealand) in the South Island.

Bluebridge was launched as the passenger service brand of Strait Shipping in 2003.[8]

In 2016, Strait Shipping was sold to Australian-based Champ Private Equity Group.[9][8] 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.[8] 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,[10] with passenger services continuing to operate under the Bluebridge brand.[1] Sister companies Freight Lines and Streamline [8] were rebranded as "StraitNZ Linehaul" and "StraitNZ Freight Forwarding"[1] respectively. That year, a 25% stake in the company was acquired by [Macquarie](/source/Macquarie_Group).

In December 2021, the StraitNZ Group was sold by Champ Private Equity and Macquarie to [Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners](/source/Morgan_Stanley), for a reported sale price of NZ$500 million.[11] 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](/source/Cook_Strait) vehicle freight, and a 31% market share for passenger services. The remaining share is held by [Interislander](/source/Interislander), a subsidiary of New Zealand Government-owned [KiwiRail](/source/KiwiRail).[4]

## Fleet

### Current

Name Image Shipyard Launched Entered service Port of registry Tonnage Notes Connemara Cantiere Navale Visentini, Porto Viro, Italy 2007 2023 Nassau, Bahamas 27,414 GT [12] Livia Cantiere Navale Visentini, Porto Viro, Italy 2008 2025 [13] Nassau, Bahamas 26,904 GT [14]

### Past

Name Image Shipyard Launched Entered service Retired Tonnage Notes Straitsman (1972) NQEA, Cairns, Australia 1972 1992 2004 1,481 GT 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.[15] Suilven Moss Verft, Moss, Norway 1974 1995 2004 3,638 GT [15] Kent Ishikawajima-Harima Shipyard, Tokyo, Japan 1977 2001 2010 6,862 GT [15] Santa Regina Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre [fr], Le Havre, France 1985 2002 2015 14,588 GT [15] Monte Stello Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre [fr], Le Havre, France 1979 2006 2010 11,630 GT Lost power in Tory Channel on 2 May 2008.[15][16] Straitsman (2005) Volharding Shipyards [nl], Netherlands 2005 2010 2023 13,906 GT Now operated by Condor Ferries in the United Kingdom Strait Feronia Cantiere Navale Visentini, Porto Viro, Italy 1997 2015 2025 21,856 GT Replaced by Livia;[17] sold to Egypt in September 2025 for Red Sea service as Pan Lily.[18]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-straitnz_story_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-straitnz_story_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-straitnz_story_1-2) ["Strait NZ – Our Story"](https://www.straitnz.co.nz/about/our-story/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190504205224/https://www.straitnz.co.nz/about/our-story/) from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Bluebridge – About Us"](http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/aboutus). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150608000746/http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/aboutus/) from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-straitstory_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-straitstory_3-1) ["The Strait Shipping story"](http://www.straitshipping.co.nz/about-us/the-strait-shipping-story/). Strait Shipping. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150210113625/http://www.straitshipping.co.nz/about-us/the-strait-shipping-story/) from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) ["John Haddock's CPE Capital sells Jaybro, StraitNZ for $1.1b"](https://www.afr.com/street-talk/john-haddock-s-cpe-capital-sells-jaybro-straitnz-for-1-1b-20211214-p59hjg). *[Australian Financial Review](/source/Australian_Financial_Review)*. 21 December 2021. [Archived](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) from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners Completes Investment in StraitNZ Holdings Limited"](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220331005841/en/Morgan-Stanley-Infrastructure-Partners-Completes-Investment-in-StraitNZ-Holdings-Limited/). *Business Wire*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221219144853/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220331005841/en/Morgan-Stanley-Infrastructure-Partners-Completes-Investment-in-StraitNZ-Holdings-Limited/) from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-jimbarkerobit_6-0)** Charles Riddle (9 September 2016). ["Obituary: Transport giant Jim Barker's legacy will be felt for decades to come"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/84084926/obituary-transport-giant-jim-barkers-legacy-will-be-felt-for-decades-to-come). [Stuff.co.nz](/source/Stuff.co.nz). [Archived](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) from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Crossing the Cook Strait *[Ships Monthly](/source/Ships_Monthly)* July 2022 pages 65/66

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-straitsold_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-straitsold_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-straitsold_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-straitsold_8-3) Chloe Winter (6 December 2016). ["New Zealand transport companies sold, new owner eyes growth"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/87253175/new-zealand-transport-companies-sold-new-owner-eyes-growth). [Stuff.co.nz](/source/Stuff.co.nz). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190509205953/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/87253175/new-zealand-transport-companies-sold-new-owner-eyes-growth) from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Australian Company Buys Cook Strait Ferries"](https://www.odt.co.nz/business/aust-company-buys-cook-strait-ferries). [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). 6 December 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190510091006/https://www.odt.co.nz/business/aust-company-buys-cook-strait-ferries) from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Particulars of Name Change"](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). [Companies Office](/source/Companies_Office). 29 March 2018. [Archived](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) from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_11-0)** ["StraitNZ owner sells ferry and freightforwarding business – reports"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/458419/straitnz-owner-sells-ferry-and-freightforwarding-business-reports). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. 22 December 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220726134525/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/458419/straitnz-owner-sells-ferry-and-freightforwarding-business-reports) from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Stena RoRo's Connemara reportedly off to a new life with New Zealand's StraitNZ's Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries"](https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-roros-connemara-reportedly-off-to-a-new-life-with-new-zealands-straitnzs-bluebridge-cook-strait-ferries.aspx). *Shippax*. Halmstad. 11 November 2022. [Archived](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) from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Gibbens, Krystal (3 July 2025). ["Scores ignore rain to welcome new Bluebridge ferry"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/565834/scores-ignore-rain-to-welcome-new-bluebridge-ferry). Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 3 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["StraitNZ upgrades Cook Strait ferry fleet with new ship"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360623524/straitnz-upgrades-cook-strait-ferry-fleet-new-ship). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 21 March 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_15-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:2_15-4) ["Our Company – Our Fleet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173011/https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/). *www.bluebridge.co.nz*. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Passenger Ferry Monte Stello, Loss of Power, Tory Channel, 2 May 2008"](https://taic.org.nz/inquiry/mo-2008-203). [Transport Accident Investigation Commission](/source/Transport_Accident_Investigation_Commission). 25 March 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190510090739/https://taic.org.nz/inquiry/mo-2008-203) from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Blueridge102025_17-0)** ["Our company: Our Fleet"](https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/). Wellington NZ: StraitNZ. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251004163747/https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/our-company/) from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Crisp, Dale (29 September 2025). ["Red Sea future for Cook Strait ro-pax"](https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/red-sea-future-for-cook-strait-ro-pax). *[Daily Cargo News](/source/Daily_Cargo_News)*. Sydney NSW. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251004174524/https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/red-sea-future-for-cook-strait-ro-pax) from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.

## External links

- [StraitNZ website](http://www.straitnz.co.nz)

- [Bluebridge website](http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/)

v t e Macquarie Group Subsidiaries Current Altafiber Arqiva (25%) Bingo Industries Delaware Investments Green Investment Group Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation Macquarie Investment Management Manova Partners National Gas ONYX Insight Pinsly Railroad Company Southern Water Former Adelaide Airport AGS Airports (50%) Macquarie Atlas Roads Arlanda Express Bluestone Group (17.5%) Bristol Airport (50%) Condor Ferries Elizabeth River Crossings (50%) Fox-Pitt Kelton Cochran Caronia Waller Genesee & Wyoming Australia Hobart Airport (70%) Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Macquarie Airports Lal Lal Wind Farm (20%) Macquarie European Rail Macquarie Leisure Trust Macquarie Media Group Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund National Car Parks OFX (51%) Queensland Airports Stagecoach London Thames Water The Reject Shop Virgin Money Australia Wightlink Notable people Bob Carr David Clarke Simon Hannes John Hewson Catherine Livingstone Max Moore-Wilton Allan Moss Eddie Ng John Niland Helen Nugent Graeme Samuel Warwick Smith Alan Stockdale Shemara Wikramanayake

v t e Morgan Stanley Founders Henry Sturgis Morgan Harold Stanley Notable executives Current Ted Pick (Chairman and CEO) James P. Gorman (Chairman Emeritus) Former Robert A. Kindler Ruchir Sharma Thomas Nides Wei Christianson Barton Biggs Colm Kelleher John J. Studzinski Kasim Kutay Mitchell M. Merin Philip J. Purcell Robert F. Greenhill Robert Scott Ruth Porat S. Parker Gilbert Stephen S. Roach Vikram Pandit Subsidiaries Current E-Trade Eaton Vance Smith Barney Former Metalmark Capital MSCI PDT Partners Historical components Dean Witter Reynolds Morgan, Harjes & Co. Buildings Morgan Stanley Building Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital

v t e New Zealand inter-island and Cook Strait ferries Current Cook Strait Wellington-Picton ferries Kaiārahi Kaitaki MV Connemara MV Livia Former Cook Strait (Wellington–Picton) ferries Aratere Arahanga Arahura GMV Aramoana GMV Aranui MV Aratika Condor Vitesse Incat 046 MS Santa Regina Strait Feronia MV Straitsman (2005) MV Straitsman (1972) MV Suilven Former inter-island (Wellington–Lyttelton) ferries SS Penguin TEV Rangatira (1931) Rangatira (1971) TSS Wahine (1913) TEV Wahine (1966) Companies Bluebridge KiwiRail Union Company Services Interislander

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [StraitNZ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StraitNZ) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StraitNZ?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.