New Zealand's biggest transport company says it should have had more warning of strike action affecting Cook Strait ferries to give it time to make preparations.
The action by the Merchant Service Guild, which represents ships' officers, has so far led to the cancellation of two freight-only night services since Saturday night.
KiwiRail says the strike action has been lifted as further negotiation talks are planned for Tuesday.
Mainfreight says KiwiRail was told more than two weeks ago about the planned strike, but did not pass on the information until last Friday, about a day before two freight services were cancelled.
The Road Transport Forum, which represents trucking firms, agrees that KiwiRail's warning to customers came far too late.
KiwiRail is reviewing its policies on giving strike information to customers.
Strike action was initiated after a breakdown in pay talks between KiwiRail and the Merchant Services Guild, which represents skippers and ships' officers.
