HFW advises New Zealand’s Ferry Holdings Ltd on shipbuilding contracts for new Ro-Pax vessels

Global law firm HFW recently assisted Ferry Holdings Limited (FHL) in the negotiation and execution of shipbuilding contracts for two new rail-enabled Ro-Pax ferries. 

FHL is the state-owned entity tasked with running New Zealand’s Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme for the procurement of two new ferries for New Zealand’s strategically vital Wellington to Picton Interislander Ro-Pax service.

The vessels will be propelled by hybrid diesel-electric propulsion systems and incorporate large battery banks designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions on the service.  Each vessel will be 200 metres long and 28 metres wide, capable of accommodating up to 1,530 passengers, 70 crew, and 2,400 lane metres of vehicles, including full rail capability.

Having closely assisted with the procurement process and FHL’s selection of Guangzhou Shipyard International as the preferred bidder, HFW worked alongside FHL and their brokers, BRS, to develop and negotiate the contracts for the two new vessels.

The global HFW team was led by Partner William MacLachlan, who leads the firm’s shipbuilding practice, and included Partner Henry Fung, Senior Associate Peter Emery, Associate Zain Kazmi and Trainee Solicitor Leontine Rensen. 

William MacLachlan, Partner, HFW:

“We are proud to have supported Ferry Holdings Limited on this landmark project, which represents a major step forward for sustainable ferry operations in New Zealand.

These vessels will enhance connectivity across the Cook Strait, and we look forward to continuing to support our clients with the delivery of this exciting project.”

HFW’s multi-disciplinary ferry team is spread across its international network of 22 offices, and supports the full spectrum of industry stakeholders including large ferry operations, both domestic and international and small lifeline services, as well as sovereign and local governments, banks and alternative investors, service providers and insurers. 

HFW’s ferry team forms a part of the firm’s global shipping practice, which comprises of over 220 shipping lawyers and 14 Master Mariners throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, specialising in dry shipping disputes, admiralty and crisis management, and transactional work for clients across all sectors of the maritime industry.

HFW has more top-tier rankings for shipping in legal directories Chambers and The Legal 500 than any other law firm, and is ranked by The Times as one of the UK’s top maritime practices.