The vessel William Fraser delivered livestock from the Chatham Islands to Napier

McCallum Bros has been awarded a contract to arrange maritime transport services to the Chatham and Pitt Islands. While a dedicated vessel is being built in China, the company has retrofitted the landing craft William Fraser for livestock transport. The project was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, whose specialists helped install aluminum pens, agricultural mats, drinkers, and a canopy on the 68-meter vessel.

During its maiden voyage, the ship delivered 330 yearling steers and cows to Napier. On the return trip to the Chatham Islands, the vessel carried various farm cargo, including a lawnmower, quads, posts, battens, wire, and a 20-foot refrigerated container with bait for a local fishing company.

The new vessel under construction will eventually replace the Southern Tiare, which is approaching 40 years of age, and will provide greater transport reliability. The new ship is expected to arrive in New Zealand late next year. It will feature three times the capacity, three levels of livestock decks below the main deck, as well as an upper deck for containers, cars, tractors, and other machinery. Its ventilation systems were designed by an Italian company specializing in live export vessels, and the design allows for deck washing two to three times a day.

Between voyages to the Chatham Islands, company director Callum McCallum expects to use the vessel for livestock transport between the North and South Islands as an alternative to Cook Strait ferries and long-distance road transport. Operations with other offshore islands, such as Great Barrier Island in Auckland, are also being considered.