ANOTHER NEW SHIPPING SERVICE FOR AUCKLAND

DATE: WEDNESDAY 22 JULY, 2009

Ports of Auckland will welcome another new shipping service tomorrow (Thursday 23 July).

Auckland will be the only New Zealand port of call for the new roll-on / roll-off NAPA (North America Pacific) service, operated by Partner Shipping AS and co-managed by Praxis Logistics.

The introduction of the NAPA service caps off a good week for Ports of Auckland.

The company recently (Thursday 16 July) announced that its container volumes would benefit from moves by a Hamburg Sud and Cosco/ICS consortium to consolidate two existing container shipping services between New Zealand and North Asia.

The NAPA service will travel between New Zealand, Mexico, the United States, Singapore, serving Asia, and Australia.

The route is designed to cater for the import of cars, machinery and heavy vehicles from North America to South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as exports from Australia and New Zealand back to North America.

A fleet of brand new, state-of-the-art PCTC (Pure Car Truck Carriers) vessels, each with capacity of approximately 3,900 units, will make a monthly call to Auckland.

“We are delighted to be able to offer importers and exporters another regular Auckland-based service,” said Ports of Auckland Chief Financial Officer Wayne Thompson.

“We are seeing strong market demand for roll-on / roll-off and automotive shipping services in the Pacific Basin.”

“We’re also pleased to see a new service option for exporters looking to target the United States.”

The service will commence tomorrow, with maiden caller Silverstone Express berthing at Jellicoe Wharf.

Cargo Co-ordinators Shipping Agencies Limited will act as New Zealand agents.
 

For further information contact:

Catherine Etheredge
Senior Manager – Communications
P: 09 309 1255
E: etheredgec@poal.co.nz
M: 027 477 7501

Megan Hopkins-Stone
Communications Advisor
P: 09 309 1247
E: hopkins-stonem@poal.co.nz
M: 027 221 7126