Cosco to axe service to three NZ ports

The main container shipping service between New Zealand and North Asia is axing direct calls at the ports of New Plymouth, Wellington, and Nelson, reported the New Zealand Herald.

Erratic scheduling had disrupted the service, operated jointly by Cosco Container Lines, Hamburg Sud, NYK Line and Mitsui OSK Lines, the companies said.

A port rotation of six North Asia ports and six in New Zealand was “very challenging'', leaving little contingency time in the event of inevitable weather delays or other unforeseen difficulties, the companies said.

Local company Pacifica Shipping, which operates two container vessels on scheduled coastal runs, is likely to benefit from the axing of the three ports.

Pacifica's 3850 tonne Spirit of Resolution will replace calls by Cosco's Yingkou at New Plymouth, and the 7430 tonne Spirit of Endurance will make feeder calls at Nelson and Wellington.

The companies said that to rebuild a reliable service between New Zealand and North Asia, decisive corrective action had to be taken.

Port Nelson would also be covered via Pacifica's coastal service from September 13, with the service improving from fortnightly to weekly.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)