Freight trains also pass through the town, mainly carrying freight between the marshalling yards at Middleton in Christchurch and the Interislander rail ferries at Picton.
On 27 November 2013, it was announced that she has been chartered by Interislander in New Zealand to operate on the Wellington–Picton route for six months.
The two main shipping companies operating this route are the Interislander and Strait Shipping, with both offering Roll-on/roll-off capabilities for cars and trucks, and for the Interislander sometimes trains.
Following Toll Holdings' investment in New Zealand's Tranz Rail in 2003, the Interislander was transferred to Toll Shipping.