One of New Zealand's Cook Strait ferries is heading overseas after multiple issues with the journey between the North and South Islands over the past few months.
Bluebridge's The Straitsman has been sold to Condor Ferries in England. The ship will sail between Portsmouth and the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey.
In a LinkedIn post on Thursday, Condor Ferries said the ship will join its fleet later this year.
"Pleased to announce that we'll be adding a second conventional ferry to our fleet, which will enter service between the UK and the Channel Islands later this year, adding greater resilience, capacity and connectivity," Condor Ferries said.
"Currently operating in New Zealand as the MV Straitsman, the 125m long vessel, which carries both freight and passengers, will operate on the lifeline freight supply route from Portsmouth International Port to Jersey and Guernsey. Just need to rename her..."
StraitNZ Bluebridge spokesperson Will Dady confirmed to Stuff on Friday the vessel had been sold.
Dady told the outlet it has not yet been confirmed when the ship will leave New Zealand.
It comes after hordes of passengers were stranded in Picton earlier in the week due to major ferry disruptions.
Both Interislander and Bluebridge have been hit with breakdowns and engine problems in recent weeks.
