The new name for the former Stena Alegra has been revealed as Kaiarahi (above). Currently in Singapore undergoing a refit, the 22,152gt/1998 built ship will return to New Zealand in her new guise at the start of august, then after some commissioning, training, and certification, she will begin taking freight, then passengers across the Cook Strait. The veteran 12,735gt/1983 built Arahura (above) is to be retired on 31st July with the Stena owned Kaiarahi taking over from her after a short drop in fleet strength (from 3 to 2). The Maori Language Commission defines Kaiarahi as meaning ‘leadership’.

Prior to retirement the Arahura was used to test a watered down version of diesel fuel, with Blended Fuel Solutions NZ Ltd. being the supplier for these trials. The technology in question enables for diesel-oil coated water droplets to be converted into steam through a process of blowing apart, resulting in the creation of small fuel particles that demonstrate a more efficient level of burning. The mixing of water and oil is carried out with the help of an additive blended into the fuel along with water. These latest tests follow on from a two-day trial carried out back in 2013, and were conducted over a 3 month period. All trial operations received the support of EECA under the stipulations of a Technology Demonstration Project grant.