A replacement for the crippled interisland ferry Aratere will begin its passenger service on Monday.
The Stena Alegra. Photo: SEA MEDIA
The Aratere has been out of action since losing a propeller while sailing from Picton to Wellington in early November last year.
Interislander general manager Thomas Davis said the vessel Stena Alegra from Poland will make two return crossings between Wellington and Picton each day.
One will be freight only, while the other will be a mix of freight and vehicle passengers.
Mr Davis said the ferry underwent final berthing trials in Picton on Friday morning and would return to Wellington later in the day. Its first scheduled passenger sailing is at 5pm on Monday.
Stena Alegra can carry a maximum of 350 passengers, 250 fewer than Aratere, and will continue scheduled passenger crossings until at least April.
