A fleet upgrade and rebranding is set to boost passenger and freight services to the Hauraki Gulf islands.
SeaLink has invested around $1 million for 16 new vehicles to its fleet and will be operating all its services under the same brand from April 23.
The company’s logistic arm previously operated as Freightlink Cartage and will now run as SeaLink Logistics.
It provides vital passenger, vehicle and freight services from Auckland to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands on its five ferries.
SeaLink chief executive Mark Gibson says using the same brand for all operations “was a no brainer”.
“It makes it easier for customers to understand what our business is.
“We operate one supply chain – passengers, vehicles and freight.”
Gibson says several of the vehicles were due for replacement.
“They don’t have the easiest life being regularly exposed to salt water spray on the trips to and from the islands, so a new, more reliable fleet will be great for our operations,” he says.
The new vehicles include two Isuzu FVZ1400A 6×4 curtainsider trucks, two Isuzu FRR600 4×2 curtainsider trucks, a single Isuzu FVZ1400A 6×4 fridge truck, two Isuzu EXY 460 6×4 tractor units, an Isuzu FVZ1400M 6×4 crane truck and a long wheel base Mercedes 316 Sprinter van.There are also seven new trailers.
The company has a warehouse in East Tamaki, Auckland and can also pick up goods from around the city.
Services move between Half Moon Bay and the Wynyard Quarter to the Hauraki Gulf islands with around 6000 return trips a year to Waiheke and about 200 return sailings annually to Great Barrier.
