CBAFF hails Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Timaru move

24 September 2012

CBAFF hails Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Timaru move

The Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand (CBAFF) has hailed the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s decision to introduce a service to Prime Port at Timaru.

CBAFF Vice President Trevor Duxfield said the move would not only reduce planned job cuts at the port but would also provide benefits for importers and exporters including providing south Canterbury exporters with a direct link to Asia.

The move, which will see the company’s Capricorn Service follow a route via Bluff, Port Chalmers, Timaru, Lyttelton, Napier, Tauranga, Brisbane, Singapore and Jakarta, comes after shipping Lines Maersk and Hamburg Sud withdrew their combined service from the port.

“It is very good news that the 50 job losses announced due to the loss of the Maersk and Hamburg Sud business will now be reduced to 30,” said Mr Duxfield.

“It is a boost for the port and the community and also good for importers and exporters because this provides a welcome alternative to having to truck or rail containers to Dunedin or Lyttelton and will reduce costs in the supply chain.

“We congratulate the Mediterranean Shipping Company on its decision and hope that this is the beginning of a long-term commitment to the region.”

The first Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel to call at Timaru will be the Brasilia 1240R which is expected to dock at Prime Port on October 10.

ENDS

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