P&O Nedlloyd has introduced an enhanced weekly, fixed-day service between New Zealand and Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East Gulf.
Five vessels will provide the service at the key export ports of Auckland, Lyttelton, Napier and Tauranga, with fortnightly calls to be made at New Plymouth.
P&O Nedlloyd's general manager, sales and marketing for New Zealand, Rod McKenzie, said: 'These vessels will be reefer-friendly and geared to the needs of 40-foot containers, and will therefore better meet the requirements of New Zealand shippers.' Mr KcKenzie said container volumes had improved and the time was right for the carrier to enhance its service dedicated to the needs of Southeast Asian trade.
He said the upgrading was a result of the business developments that P&O Nedlloyd had made in the past three years.
The improved service also will provide weekly northbound calls to Brisbane and ports in Southeast Asia. In addition to Singapore, fixed-day weekly calls would be introduced to Port Kelang, he said.
The new service will offer an enhanced relay service for shippers to the Middle East Gulf and South Asia.
When the vessels visited Singapore, their cargo could be transferred to P&O Nedlloyd's Far East, Gulf and South Asia services. The services also would provide improved southbound coverage to New Zealand.