Record Rail Freight Moves Across The Cook Strait
Toll’s commitment to grow rail freight in New Zealand is evident by the record tonnage currently being moved across the
Cook Strait by Interislander.
Despite one sailing being cancelled due to bad weather over the past week, Interislander has moved close to 58 thousand
gross tonnes of rail freight between the two islands, which is a record.
The figures have been climbing steadily for the past 2 years since Toll took over and has occurred despite the change in
configuration of the ships with the introduction of the Kaitaki.
Interislander group general manager Seamus O’Sullivan says it’s a credit to the Interislander team to have moved so much
rail freight taking into account that on top of rail they also have their commercial vehicle customers and passengers to
look after.
“Toll Rail team’s in both Wellington and Picton have done a great job ensuring that the ships are turned around as
quickly as possible, despite the increased loadings,” says Mr O’Sullivan.
Toll Rail group general manager Joe Garbellini said there are many reasons for the rail growth.
Rail has picked up a number of new contracts including one transport and logistics company that previously was
exclusively using road. He said that Toll Tranzlink the retail arm of Toll in New Zealand has worked hard to put as much
freight as possible on rail and this is now paying off.
He said other areas of growth have come from more and more of the large transport providers using rail.
“We always said that, providing the service delivery was there, we could grow rail and this is proof that we are now
doing a much better job in that area,” said Mr Gabellini.
The majority of freight is from North to South.
ENDS