Strait shipping extends coastal freight service to Napier

By NZPA

Tuesday 23rd January 2007

Wellington-based Strait Shipping is extending its coastal freight service to Napier.

The service would be the first sea freight link between Napier and Nelson, the company said today.

Strait's freight-only vessel the Kent would begin a scheduled weekly service between Wellington and Napier next Monday, as an extension of its existing service between the capital and Nelson and Picton.

"This new service will provide shippers with an efficient method of transporting containers and roll-on roll-off cargo between the ports of Nelson, Wellington, Picton and Napier," Strait Shipping managing director Sheryl Ellison said.

"New Zealand needs a truly inter-modal transport system and shipping provides a way forward that has low emissions, low carbon and is more fuel efficient than any other mode."

Strait Shipping has operated a scheduled service from Wellington to Nelson for the past 12 years. With predominantly containerised freight the Kent also ships break-bulk and roll-on roll-off cargoes.

Strait Shipping is a New Zealand owned company established in 1992. As well as the Kent, Strait Shipping operates two other vessels carrying passengers and freight between Picton and Wellington through its Bluebridge brand.

Port of Napier commercial manager Chris Bain said Strait Shipping's move was a view to the future, as some regional ports would struggle to accommodate the ever-increasing lengths of international container vessels, in particular.

"This development will provide Nelson exporters with enhanced shipping options as their cargo is transshipped onto international vessels in Napier.

"The same process in reverse could apply to imports discharged in Napier which can then be transferred coastally to Nelson."

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