SeaLink – the vital link to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf

SeaLink – the vital link to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf

SeaLink, the indispensable link from Auckland to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands will operate all its services under the SeaLink name from Monday 23 April.

Now called SeaLink Logistics, previously the SeaLink Group’s logistics arm had been known as Freightlink Cartage, while the Group’s ferry service operated (and will continue to operate) under the SeaLink name.

“Using the SeaLink name for all our operations was a no brainer really,” said Mark Gibson, the CEO of SeaLink. “It makes it easier for customers to understand what our business is. We operate one supply chain – passengers, vehicles and freight.”

The company operates five vehicle ferries that move passengers, vehicles and freight 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.

The company provides Waiheke and Great Barrier with all their essential freight services.

SeaLink Logistics ships freight to the major building suppliers, supermarkets, breweries with outlets on the island as well as many smaller businesses. The ferries maximise volumes both ways and in return, transporting Island produce, recycling and even rubbish off the Islands.

It is also upgrading much of its vehicle fleet at the same time as it re-names its freight operation. Sixteen new vehicles (including trucks and trailers) valued at over $1 million will provide the wide variety of services to the companies that do business on the islands. They will all appear in the striking red SeaLink livery in the coming months.

“Several of our fleet were due for replacement,” said Mr Gibson. “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.”

The new fleet includes two Isuzu FVZ1400A 6x4 curtainsider trucks, two Isuzu FRR600 4x2 curtainsider trucks, a single Isuzu FVZ1400A 6x4 fridge truck, two Isuzu EXY 460 6x4 tractor units, an Isuzu FVZ1400M 6x4 crane truck and a long wheel base Mercedes 316 Sprinter van. There are also seven new trailers.

SeaLink Logistics will continue to offer the same full freight service to the islands that Freightlink Cartage has provided, with the same staff.

“Customers can deliver freight to our East Tamaki Warehouse for us to transport to the islands, or for Waiheke customers, we can pick up from around the Auckland area,” said Mr Gibson.

The Springs Rd , East Tamaki depot is being up-graded between June and September – the operation’s low peak months - to create an even more efficient operation before it is despatched to the Half Moon Bay/ Wynyard Wharf ferry facilities.

On Waiheke, SeaLink Logistics can provide a door-to-door delivery service, or customers can pick-up from its Tahi Rd depot.

SeaLink Logistics also contracts to other freight companies who have goods bound for Waiheke or Great Barrier, but do not want to provide “the last mile” of delivery.

SeaLink will continue to operate up to 17 return trips a day between Half Moon Bay or Wynyard Wharf and Kennedy Point, Waiheke, including a special dangerous goods service.

There are return trips to Great Barrier Island up to five times a week in summer and three times a week in winter.

Since 1960 SeaLink New Zealand (previously known as Subritzky Shipping Services) has been providing safe, fast and reliable services for vehicles, passengers, freight, heavy road machinery and bulk supplies to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands, and contracted services to other Hauraki Gulf islands.

ends

© Scoop Media