Post by Rich80105On Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:27:02 -0000 (UTC), Tony
Post by TonyPost by Rich80105Post by GordonOn Tue, 25 Jun 2024 11:39:47 +1200, Rich80105
Post by Rich80105https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350321642/luxon-has-no-regrets-about-cancelling-new-cook-strait-ferries
https://www.reddit.com/r/nzpolitics/comments/1dmxi5p/nz_goes_to_the_back_of_the_queue_for_new_ferries/
So who are the winners? Morgan Stanley (who own Bluebridge), and air
freight forms and trucking. Gosh - are we surprised - and all this so
they could afford tax cuts for landlords - as far as the government is
concerned there are no losers! (or perhaps more accurately, no users
that matter to the government . . .)
It seems that sanity is prevailing with new ships ordering not too far
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/23/govt-advised-to-replace-cook-strait-ferries-with-new-smaller-boats/
From the reading of this the advisary board had the recommendations ready
but owing to some "complications" the recommdendations were not acted upon.
Sort of its too hard and it will cost too much. So no action is taken.
It is really amazing how human nature allows no action until a disaster
strikes, even though everyone knows what should be done.
Looks like we are getting back on track and repairing the state highway 1
between Wellington and Picton.
http://werewolf.co.nz/2024/06/gordon-campbell-on-cancer-drugs-and-the-great-ferries-cancellation-disaster-of-23/
Yup, the cancellation was the best possible action. In fact the only sensible
one. Now well understood by sentient beings.
"he decision taken last December to cancel the contract for the two
purpose-built Cook Strait ferries without having a Plan B in mind,
let alone in place has been a calamity thats going to haunt New
Zealand for decades to come, long after the Luxon government has been
consigned to the dustbin of history.
The contract we had signed with South Koreas giant Hyandfai Mipo
Dockyard had locked in the building cost for ferries large enough (a)
to carry rail economically and (b) carry passengers in relative
comfort. Crucially, the vessels would have been big and sturdy enough
to handle the constant hammering from Cook Straits fierce weather
conditions, for the next 30 years or so. The new ferries were due to
start arriving in about 18 -24 months time.
Instead
.the ministerial advisory group has recommended that we start
again from scratch and arrange to build smaller boats that wont be
rail capable. This means that firms will be faced with the extra costs
of the double handling of goods, and/or will have an incentive to put
more goods onto trucks that will (a) generate more carbon emissions,
and (b) cause further costs in road maintenance and (c) pose added
safety risks to motorists who will now be forced to share the
countrys roads with an ever-increasing number of large trucks, for
decades to come.
Moreover, we will be starting out afresh to find foreign shipyards
willing to take on a proven-to-be-unreliable client like New Zealand,
in order to build smaller, less capable, less robust ships at an equal
or even higher price, given the subsequent inflationary pressures.
Besides, we will still need to pay for ferry terminal upgrades that
were the actual source of the alleged cost blowout seized on as the
excuse for the cancellation.
Furthermore, we will also have to pay a costly penalty fee for
breaking the original contract, with all the related reputational risk
to this country, at a time when we are looking for shipyards to build
replacements for several of our naval vessels.
Overall, the cancellation decision made by Finance Minister Nicola
Willis is going to end up costing as much and probably more once
all of the ancillary costs are put on the tab. At no overall savings,
Willis will have delayed the arrival by the best part of five years
of what will be an inferior ferry service across our most important
domestic trade and tourism route. The stupidity and incompetence
surrounding the decision to cancel the ferries order has been
breathtaking. Elsewhere, ministerial resignations have occurred over
far less."
The rest of the article is also worth reading as well . . . .
berthed at any port. That was an incomprehensible decision that tied
ferry replacement to port upgrades. It should be noted that most of
rail tracks in the floor.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/23/govt-advised-to-replace-cook-strait-ferries-with-new-smaller-boats/
have taken before the new ferries were ordered.