Tranz Rail ponders moving Cook Strait ferry terminal

<p>New Zealand’s Tranz Rail may revive the scheme to shift the Picton Cook Strait ferry terminal to Clifford Bay.</p> <p>The company believes a shift from Picton to Clifford Bay on the Marlborough coast would make substantial improvements to efficiency and quality of service.</p> <p>It would cut two hours off a trip from Wellington to Christchurch, allowing Tranz Rail to operate two instead of the present three ships. </p> <p>Tranz Rail confirmed it has received approaches from several port and infrastructure companies about the project.</p> <p>The proposed move would not require Tranz Rail to invest in a new port, but would substitute one set of port costs for another.</p> <p>A final decision has not been reached, but the company expects to reveal more about the scheme in March. </p> <p>This is one of several key decisions Tranz Rail is due to make this year.</p> <p>It is also involved in discussions with the New Zealand Government about selling the national rail network.</p> <p>Nationalisation of the network is one of several options being considered by the parties.</p> <p>The company has said it will continue to repay debt through the sale of assets and has cut back on capital spending. </p> <br />