NEPTUNE Pacific will introduce a new acquisition to its NZPAC service early next month, continuing a five-year, USD 150 million investment by the line to modernize its South Pacific fleet.
The 2,192 TEU Neptune Matua was acquired in April, with NPDL taking delivery in Valencia, Spain, ahead of its journey to New Zealand. Following its recent transit through the Panama Canal, it is scheduled to arrive in Tauranga at the beginning of June, before embarking on its maiden NZPAC voyage to Fiji. It will replace the drydocking Capitaine Tupaia in the service.
“This investment reinforces the company’s longstanding commitment to providing reliable service while continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of its customers,” Greg Wilson, president of Neptune Pacific, said.
“The name ‘Matua’, in both Fijian and Māori, embodies the notion of wisdom and guidance—often a parent or elder within the community. We believe this is a fitting name for our new flagship vessel, which will transport cargo between New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.”
By the end of 2025 Neptune Pacific, a subsidiary of The Wonderful Company of Los Angeles, will have reduced its average vessel age from 19 to 12 years – “a tremendous milestone that also enables us to significantly reduce our annual emissions.”
Neptune Matua is a SDARI 2100 design, built in 2015 by the Guangzhou Wenchong shipyard in Huangpu as Haris for Greece’s Eastern Mediterranean Maritime. It has a deadweight capacity of 25,160 tonnes, is 184.90 x 30 metres, and is equipped with 3 x 45-tonne crabs and 490 reefer plugs. Alphaliner reported NPDL paid USD 31 million for the ship.
As Haris it was briefly seen in Australian waters in 2020 when on charter to OOCL and most recently was operated by CMA CGM. Sistership Orea, also owned by EMM, is currently on charter to ANL for its TranzTas service.
This latest addition underscores NPDL’s focus on strengthening regional connectivity and supporting long-term growth across the South Pacific, the company said.
Meanwhile, Neptune Pacific’s largest ship, the 2,664 TEU Capitaine Baret, will remain on charter to Maersk for around another 12 months. The ship is currently operating on Maersk’s Northern Star service, linking NZ and N&E Asia.
And NPDL Tahiti, presently undergoing drydocking in Shanghai, will return to the AUSPAC service next month, replacing temporary fill-in Capitaine Kupe. Service partner Swire Shipping will this month replace current vessel Arkadia with former NZ coastal vessel Takutai Chief.