| Industry | Passenger transportation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003[1] |
| Headquarters | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Area served | New Zealand |
| Parent | Strait Shipping |
| Website | www.bluebridge.co.nz |
Bluebridge is a New Zealand ferry operation between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.
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Bluebridge was formed in 2003 by Strait Shipping to compete with the Interislander. Strait Shipping had been providing freight-only services across Cook Strait since 1992.
Passenger services are operated by two ships, the Santa Regina and the Monte Stello. The Monte Stello will be replaced by the Dutch built Straitsman in December 2010.
Monte Stello
The Monte Stello was built in 1979 for French ferry operator SNCM. In 1996 the Monte Stello was purchased by the Lithuanien Shipping Company and renamed Palanga. Following charters to DFDS Tor Line and Trasmediterránea the Palanga was purchased by Strait Shipping in 2006 and returned to her original name. She is due to be withdrawn from service upon the arrival of the Straitsman in December 2010.
Santa Regina
The Santa Regina was built in 1985 for French ferry operator Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation. She was purchased by Strait Shipping in 2002.
Straitsman
The Straitsman was built in 2005 as the Dueodde for Danish ferry operator BornholmerFærgen. She is due to be enter service with Bluebridge in December 2010[2]. The Straitsman is a similar but smaller version of the Interislander ferry Kaitaki. Her twin sister M/S Hammerodde still operates for BornholmerFærgen