The Ships
Welcome & Kia Ora
Experience a taste of warm ‘Kiwi’ hospitality when you cruise Cook Strait with the proudly New Zealand owned Bluebridge ferry service. With stunning scenery, friendly service, free big screen movies and a choice of sailings every day between Wellington and Picton – there’s no better way for you and your vehicle to travel Cook Strait.
About Us
The Bluebridge service is proudly New Zealand owned by long time Cook Strait freight operator Strait Shipping
.
Launched in 2003, Bluebridge sails every day between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. With a journey time of three hours and 20 minutes, the Bluebridge experience offers warm, friendly ‘Kiwi’ hospitality amidst stunning New Zealand scenery.
Our Ships
The Bluebridge service currently operates two passenger ships between Wellington and Picton, the Santa Regina and its sister ship, the Monte Stello, which following a major refurbishment joined the service in December 2006.
The vessels sail up to four times a day between state-of-the-art terminals in central Wellington and Picton.
The Bluebridge service provides a very comfortable environment for passengers, but also caters for the freight market through its parent company Strait Shipping, carrying large volumes of all kinds of cargo, including sheep and cattle, between the North and South Islands.
The Santa Regina
MV Santa Regina arrived in Wellington from France on 26 December 2002 and made her inaugural voyage, launching the Bluebridge service, in early 2003.
Before the Santa Regina joined Strait Shipping, she sailed an overnight service between Marseilles and Corsica in the Mediterranean. On arrival in New Zealand the Santa Regina received a make-over, removing the majority of cabins and replacing them with comfortable, contemporary lounge areas.
Today, she crosses Cook Strait twice a day, carrying up to 370 people plus cars and large quantities of freight.
Well known as a stable and comfortable vessel due to her good hull design and effective stablisers, the Santa Regina is a very popular Cook Strait ferry.
| A few interesting facts about the Santa Regina. |
| Built: |
Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, Le Havre, France, 1985 |
| Length: |
137m |
| Beam overall: |
22.5m |
| Gross tonnage: |
14,588 |
| Draft: |
6.0m |
| Main engines: |
Two Pielstick diesels |
| Service speed: |
18 knots |
| Freight capacity: |
1300 lane metres |
| Passengers: |
370 |
The Monte Stello
Sister ship and almost identical to the Santa Regina, the Monte Stello arrived in New Zealand from Las Palmas, Canary Islands in March 2006.
Known as the Palanga while sailing between Las Palmas and Tenerife, the vessel was returned to its original name of Monte Stello, as per Strait Shipping tradition, when she arrived in New Zealand.
On arrival in New Zealand, the Monte Stello received a face-lift in keeping with the Santa Regina, the Monte Stello joined the Cook Strait service route in December 2006.
| A few interesting facts about the Monte Stello. |
| Built: |
Societe Nouvelle Des Ateliers et Chatier in France, 1979 |
| Length: |
126.5m |
| Beam overall: |
21m |
| Gross tonnage: |
11,630 |
| Draft: |
5.85m |
| Main engines: |
Two Pielstick diesels |
| Service speed: |
19.5 knots |
| Freight capacity: |
970 lane metres |
| Passengers: |
369 |