Costs Outweigh Benefits Of Cook Strait Tug

Costs Outweigh Benefits Of Cook Strait Tug

The Government allocated $600,000 in Budget 2024 to Maritime NZ to develop a business case for emergency ocean response capability (EORC), focusing on Cook Strait.

Government drops Cook Strait emergency response vessel plan

Image – Google Maps. The Government has abandoned plans to procure dedicated emergency ocean response capabilities (EORC) for the Cook Strait, citing a sharp rise in projected costs and limited operational benefit. Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the decision, saying the proposed system—two specialist vessels on retainer to stabilise and tow stricken ships—could not be justified given the small number of incidents where it might make a…

Costs outweigh benefits of Cook Strait tug

The Government has decided not to procure dedicated ocean response capabilities for the Cook Strait after a significant escalation in costs and little clear benefit, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The Government allocated $600,000 in Budget 2024 to Maritime NZ to develop a business case for emergency ocean response capability (EORC), focusing on Cook Strait. Cabinet considered an Indicative Business Case (IBC) in November 2024, and a Deta…