"The shortest route always wins"

Aerial shot of Lake Grassmere (foreground), Clifford Bay, and Cape Campbell (to the back) and the site of Per Rold field trip to assess its suitability as the site of the southern ferry terminal port.

In a recent article in the Marlborough Express, long-time ferry executive Per Rold shared a clear message drawn from decades of experience in Europe: the shortest route almost always wins. Rold, a Danish expat now based in Marlborough, was responding to renewed discussion around the proposal to develop a new inter-island ferry port at Clifford Bay, shifting operations away from Picton. His perspective is shaped by hands-on involvement in multiple ferry routes in Denmark, many of which were eventually replaced by shorter, more efficient crossings.

Rold’s central argument is that a direct Wellington–Clifford Bay route would fundamentally outperform the current Picton crossing. At roughly 74 kilometres and under two hours sailing time, it would be significantly shorter and faster than the 106-kilometre Picton route, which can take well over three hours in good conditions. Shorter sailings, he notes, mean lower fuel use, fewer emissions, faster turnarounds, and more reliable scheduling — all critical factors for both passengers and freight.

Beyond the maritime advantages, Rold highlights the wider transport and regional benefits. A Clifford Bay terminal would remove heavy freight traffic from the winding inland roads south of Blenheim, improving safety and efficiency. Picton, freed from the demands of ferry operations, could re-imagine its future — potentially focusing on tourism, recreation, and cruise shipping, with cleaner harbour waters and a more visitor-friendly waterfront.

While acknowledging that the timing is difficult given the Government’s current focus on upgrading existing ferry infrastructure, Rold argues the scale of the Clifford Bay opportunity warrants cross-party cooperation and long-term thinking. Drawing comparisons with Denmark’s approach to major infrastructure planning, he suggests New Zealand should look beyond electoral cycles and seriously evaluate solutions that deliver lasting national benefits. His contribution adds an experienced international voice to a debate that continues to shape the future of inter-island transport.

The link to the full article follows below.

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360910327/shortest-route-always-wins-danish-ferry-man-potential-clifford-bay-port