Freight company Mainfreight says the removal from service of the Interislander ferry Aratere could not have come at a worse time.
KiwiRail on Thursday stopped taking vehicle bookings for its Interislander ferries until at least the end of January, although it says all existing bookings will be honoured on its other two ships.
A propeller came off the Aratere last week near the Tory Channel, leaving the vessel unable to carry passengers.
KiwiRail said withdrawal of the ferry will cut its Cook Strait total freight capacity by 45%, while freight demand typically increases by 20% over the peak period until the end of January.