SWIRE Shipping is bolstering its services between Australia and the Pacific Islands.
The company is to phase the Melanesian Chief into the service from mid-December. The vessel is a geared general cargo/containership. It has a cargo capacity of 13,760 DWT tonnes.
Melanesian Chief will accompany the Arkadia on the service.
Swire said service frequency on the service would increase from the current 26 days to 14 days (fortnightly), providing direct port coverage from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to Noumea, Port Vila Lautoka and Suva.
The company said the eastern Pacific ports of Apia, Pago Pago, Nuku’alofa and Papeete will continue under transhipment connection via Suva.
