The government is searching for a reliable shipping service.
The Associate Transport Minister, James Meager, has announced that the government is seeking proposals from shipping operators to provide a new supply vessel for the Chatham Islands. The current vessel, Southern Tiare, is 39 years old and frequently requires maintenance and repairs due to its age. This has caused significant hardship for the community, including a recent fuel shortage that required rationing of petrol for local residents.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been published on the Government Electronic Tender Service outlining the government's requirements for a new service. The ideal vessel will need to transport fuel, livestock and general freight between Waitangi Port and Pitt Island, providing a regular, reliable and resilient service.
The process involves not only finding a replacement vessel but also determining what improvements are needed to existing port infrastructure to support the new service. This will be considered alongside proposals received through the RFP process. The government has already sought information from suppliers last year to understand the market's capability to service the Chatham Islands' unique requirements.
The release of the RFP marks a significant step towards securing a replacement vessel that can meet the community's needs for years to come. Further details can be found at https://www.gets.govt.nz/MT/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=31351880.