Bluebridge

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries is New Zealand's leading shipping company, carrying freight since 1992 and passengers since 2002 across the Cook Strait. The Bluebridge passenger brand was launched in 2003. On 29 March 2018, Strait Shipping Limited was renamed StraitNZ.

Bluebridge connects Wellington and Picton with up to 50 weekly crossings and up to four daily departures from each port. The crossing takes about 3 hours 26 minutes. With almost 10,000 metres of RoRo capacity a day, the company serves both freight and passenger demand.

The fleet consists of the sister ships Connemara and Livia. The Livia replaced the Strait Feronia, arriving in Wellington after a six-week voyage from Europe via the Panama Canal. The new ship offers 10 percent more vehicle capacity and significantly increases passenger capacity.

StraitNZ Bluebridge, a private company, holds 50 percent of the freight market and nearly 40 percent of the passenger market on the Cook Strait. On 31 March 2022 the company was acquired by Morgan Stanley. Its competitor is Interislander, operated by KiwiRail. On board there is a café, bar, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating and private cabins. Both ships are dog-friendly, with dedicated cabins, outdoor areas and kennels.