Routes & Operators
SeaLink appoints Craig Heron chief operating officer
SeaLink said on 30 October 2026 that Craig Heron is chief operating officer, after serving as general manager of port operations at TT-Line. Auckland Transport’s Western Package, bid with Belaire Ferries, is scheduled to start on 1 July 2027, with five new vessels over five years.
Source: SeaLink (opens in a new tab)
SeaLink said on 30 October 2026 that it has appointed Craig Heron as chief operating officer as the business focuses on marine transport. Heron was most recently general manager of port operations at TT-Line Company Pty Ltd, operator of Spirit of Tasmania, where he led landside port operations across passenger, freight, security and terminal services. He has more than 20 years of operational and executive leadership experience across maritime transport, including global shipping, ports, terminals, stevedoring and island ferry services.
The notice follows Kelsian Group’s divestment of its tourism portfolio to Journey Beyond on 30 September 2026. Kelsian Group chief executive Graeme Legh said: “Craig understands the complexities of marine transport and the importance of delivering services that people and communities not just depend on but can also rely on.”
Heron said: “I’ve seen the first of our new larger ferries to Kangaroo Island commence this week and the second new vessel is on its way to South Australia.”
SeaLink said it is expanding into New Zealand after Auckland Transport awarded the Western Package ferry services contract earlier this year, following a joint bid with Auckland operator Belaire Ferries. Services under the new contract are scheduled to commence on 1 July 2027. The notice says the acquisition is supported by investment in building five new vessels over five years for Auckland’s ferry network from the start of that contract.