New Zealand coastal shipping operator, Pacifica Shipping, is being purchased from Skeggs Group by Swire Group's deep sea shipping arm, The China Navigation Company (CNCo).
Describing Pacifica as providing "valuable domestic transport solutions", CNCo New Zealand country manager Brodie Stevens says his organisation is looking to expand and improve on that offering to the benefit of the country's transport infrastructure.
"Swire sees the development of coastal feeder shipping becoming more important in the New Zealand transport mix," he says.
"Larger main line operator vessels will lead to a reduction in port calls — part of the development of hubbing in New Zealand."
It is understood that Pacifica, which has plied the country's coast over the past 28 years, will remain an independent operation headquartered in Auckland, with no change in management or staff.
Mr Stevens adds that the Swire Group, which has been involved in New Zealand-international shipping since 1883, was eyeing further shipping and logistics activities investments within the country and the Pacific region.
Iain MacIntyre
