NEW Guinea Pacific Line (NGPL) will start direct monthly semi-containerised service from Hong Kong and Keelung to Tarawa, Lautoka, Suva, Apia, Pago Pago, Papeete, Tonga, Vila and Santo in the South Pacific islands next month.

Kaohsiung cargo will be centralised at Keelung.

The upgrading is the result of a recent agreement under which NGPL will operate the Pacific Islander and Coral Islander in the East Asia sector offering a comprehensive service to the South Pacific.