Knud E. Hansen, a leading naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy, is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing collaboration with Ferry Holdings Limited.

Following the successful signing of the shipbuilding contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), two new state-of-the-art RoPA vessels will be built.

These vessels are destined for service linking the North and South islands across New Zealand’s challenging Cook Strait and through the environmentally sensitive environs of the Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound.

This achievement marks a major step forward in a multi-year effort to modernize and enhance inter-island transport capability. Knud E. Hansen has been proud to support Ferry Holdings Limited throughout this journey, contributing comprehensive technical expertise from the earliest project stages.

The involvement has included:

• Development of the initial concept designs
• Preparation and refinement of detailed contract specifications
• Shipyard capability assessments and vetting
• Technical and commercial support during contract negotiations.

TRUSTED TECHNICAL PARTNER
With the shipbuilding agreement now in place, Knud E. Hansen will continue to work closely with Ferry Holdings Limited as their trusted technical partner throughout the newbuild programme. Our team will remain deeply engaged throughout all phases of design development, construction oversight, and commissioning, right through to vessel delivery.

“We are delighted to support Ferry Holdings in bringing these transformational vessels to reality,” said Javier Suarez, Managing Director, Knud E. Hansen. ►

 “This fleet renewal represents a major investment in the future of Cook Strait transport, and we are committed to ensuring Ferry Holdings receives vessels of the highest safety, reliability, and performance standards.”

A CENTRAL ROLE
The new RoPax vessels will play a central role in strengthening New Zealand’s transport infrastructure linking the North and South islands with improved capacity and passenger experience for decades to come.

These vessels will set a new benchmark for safety, efficiency, environmental sensitivity and reliability on one of the worlds most demanding ferry routes.

Knud E. Hansen

• Knud E. Hansen is one of the world’s leading independent marine consultancies with more than 85 years of experience in ship & yacht design, with a proven track record in providing unique and cutting-edge solutions to the maritime industry.
• Knud E. Hansen employs about 100 naval architects and Mechanical Engineers in Denmark, Australia, the Faroe Islands, Spain, United Kingdom and USA.
• The approach is based on a combination of continuous innovation, the free exchange of ideas with the clients, and experience derived from many years spent working with every kind of vessel and maritime operator.
• Using these, the company apply fresh thinking to each new project and tailor solutions that are both state-of-the-art and practical to meet the precise needs of each individual customer.