New Zealand coastal service to launch in December

 A NEW Zealand newcomer has announced the inauguration of a fortnightly coastal container/ bulk/ breakbulk service in December this year with two locally-crewed vessels on long-term charters.

Recently-established Aberfeldy Shipping Limited, closely related to Auckland-headquartered port services and logistics company 3 Islands Intermodal says it is “stepping up with a solution to address a major and growing vulnerability in New Zealand’s coastal freight network”.

Starting on 1 December, the company will launch a fortnightly operation — precise rotation to be announced in coming weeks — with what it describes as two multi-purpose product vessels (MPPs). Initially nine ports will be called and next year Aberfeldy proposes to introduce a north-south express service.

“The two vessels, on long-term leases with Aberfeldy’s partners Mitsui O.S.K Line (MOL) of Japan and Inco Shipping of Australia, are the 140-metre ICS Silver Lining and the 120-metre Himala,” the company says.

Cutely, Aberfeldy is promoting the ships as having “a combined deadweight capacity of 25,520 tonnes including capacity for 790 TEU”.

“Together, the vessels will improve the connectivity of NZ’s regional ports, increase the frequency of port calls, and increase deadweight cargo capacity by around 10%, compared to the Pacifica coastal shipping service which was the subject of dismay in the market when Swire Shipping halted the service in July this year.

“The vessels will be crewed by NZ seafarers and will link the country’s largest import and export hubs with important regional ports nationwide. Between 67 and 77 new jobs will be created to manage and operate the new service.

“There’s been very constructive engagement with the Maritime Union of NZ on the introduction of this service,” Aberfeldy Shipping director Gavin McIntyre said.

“Additional jobs will also be created as part of the extensive regional port services provided by Aberfeldy’s sister company, 3 Islands Intermodal, at all ports the service will regularly call on.”

Mr McIntyre said the Aberfeldy announcement came as intermodal freight volumes as a whole are expected to increase more than 50% over the next 20 years.

“Customers have welcomed the new solution with open arms as evidenced by strong interest and forward bookings spanning bulk, break bulk and containerised cargoes. With the return of a NZ-owned coastal solution, crewed by Kiwis, we’re investing in long term freight capability to give customers more choice and certainty in how they move goods around NZ.

“Aberfeldy Shipping is proud to back New Zealand’s economy and build productive momentum as growth returns to the regions.”

3 Islands Intermodal notes it is a proudly Kiwi-owned port services and logistics company, with a 600+-strong team operating across 19 locations nationwide. 3 Islands moves essential cargoes through New Zealand’s ports, inland depots and freight networks, drawing on a heritage tracing back to 1875.