PACIFICA Shipping, an operating division of Swire Shipping, is introducing a 1300 TEU containership on its New Zealand coastal service this month.
Takutai Chief is scheduled to commence operations in Auckland on 19 September, complementing the existing domestic freight services offered by Moana Chief.
Pacifica Shipping said the service upgrade would support increasing demand for coastal services and help reduce New Zealand’s freight emissions by shifting heavy cargo off roads and rails.
“With two vessels operating in tandem, Pacifica Shipping is better equipped to meet the growing demand for coastal services by providing reliable inter-island domestic freight delivery and increased coverage to regional ports,” Pacifica Shipping line manager Jan-Hendrik Hintz said.
And Ben Pike, Swire Shipping chief operating officer, said the service is expected to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable coastal shipping network in the long run.
“Aside from the additional capacity offered, the increased frequency of port calls will help to smooth the flow of cargo volume through the New Zealand domestic supply chain and take pressure off pack and devan sites,” he said.
On 19 September Takutai Chief will be deployed on a fixed-day weekly service calling Auckland, Lyttelton, Tauranga and Timaru or Marsden Point on alternating weeks.
Between the two vessels, Pacifica Shipping will be servicing ports of Auckland, Lyttelton and Tauranga twice a week on a 3.5-day frequency.
According to Pacifica Shipping, the Māori word Takutai translates to “coast” or “seashore”, and the word Moana – the name of the first vessel – translates to sea, ocean or large lake.
“With MV Moana Chief deployed on the same service, the two ships together make up “takutai moana”, which refers to the ‘coast, foreshore and seabed’,” the company said.
“This reflects Pacifica Shipping’s business focus in New Zealand and our commitment to developing coastal shipping for the community.”
