Newer, faster vessel unable to dock until port upgrades completed
By Rachel Reeves
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, May 30, 2012) – Reef Shipping has advised its customers to expect delays from now through to the end of July.
It cannot introduce its newer, faster ship Southern Reef until the harbor redevelopment is complete, and until then its carrying capacity is limited.
Reef Express voyage 157, which is scheduled to arrive in Rarotonga on June 13 and Aitutaki on June 15, was unable to accept all cargo orders.
Some cargo did not make it onto the ship before the wait list closed, and will remain at the Auckland wharf until Southern Tiare departs.
The cargo will be loaded onto Southern Tiare in Auckland on June 23, which sails directly to Rarotonga. Her estimated time of arrival is June 30 at Avarua.
"In the short term, through until the end of July, we are likely to find this an ongoing problem, however once the harbour...