GMV Aranui was a roll-on/roll-off train ferry operating across the Cook Strait between 1966 and 1984.
History Government Motor Vessel (GMV) Aranui was built in 1965 for the New Zealand Railways Department for the service between the North and South Islands of New Zealand.New Zealand's Rail Ferry Australian Transport January 1965 page 35 She was built by Vickers in England.New Zealand Network April 1965 page 2 In February 1966, she sailed via the Panama Canal, arriving in Wellington on 28 May and entered service with her sister on 9 June.Aranui makes last crossing Rails August 1984 page 18 In 1977 she was rebuilt by Sims Engineering, Dunedin to carry 950 passengers to meet the increased traffic, following the company's main competitor, the Union Company's withdrawal from the route.Refit for Aranui at Dundein Network June 1978 page 28Aranui back in service following $3 million all NZ refit Rails January 1979 pages 7-9
In 1983, Aranui and Aramoana were replaced by the significantly larger Arahura. Aranui was laid up in Wellington in June 1984 and sold four months later to the Najd Trading & Construction Company of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Pioneer ferries sold overseas Rails January 1985 page 144 Renamed Aranui A and then Nui, she commenced service carrying Muslim pilgrims on the Red Sea.
In 1986, the ship was renamed Najd III. Five years later, following an engine failure, she was laid up at Singapore. In 1992, her owners were unable to make progress payments for a repair/refit. She arrived at a Chittagong breaker's yard on 3 November 1994.
Layout Aranui was slightly larger than Aramoana. She had a higher bridge and funnel than her older sister ship.
A combined vehicle deck could carry 70 cars and 30 rail wagons.
Service Aranui was built to operate a railway service between Wellington and Picton, later known as the Interislander.
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