KiwiRail‘s InterIslander ferry Aratere has resumed Cook Strait sailings after the linkspan at Wellington‘s Ferry Terminal, damaged in the 14 November earthquake, was repaired ahead of schedule.

KiwiRail‘s chief executive Peter Reidy said this was an important next step for the improved movement of freight and passengers between the North and South Islands.

“We now have all three of our ferries back on Cook Strait which is a real boost to our freight customers and to tourists and visitors heading to and from Picton. The Aratere is returning ahead of what we had planned for. We expect rail freight will be able to be loaded next week.”

Interislander operations manager Mark Thompson said while repairs to the linkspan used to load and discharge vehicles had been repaired, the rail linkspan that allows rail freight to be loaded was still to be fixed.