MSC replaces direct New Zealand/Europe link by transshipment

MSC replaces direct New Zealand/Europe link by transshipment    Mediterranean Shipping Co. is downgrading its New Zealand/Europe service to a transshipment link by ending direct calls at the New Zealand ports of Tauranga and Lyttelton.
   Instead, the shipping line is introducing a relay service between New Zealand and the Australian port of Brisbane, which will operate as a transshipment hub. Kevin Clarke, managing director of the MSC’s Australian operation, said the port of Brisbane will be “a big winner.”
   Containers from New Zealand destined for North Asia will be transshipped to MSC’s Australia/North Asia “Wallaby” service, operated jointly with Maersk Sealand. New Zealand cargoes for Europe and Southeast Asia will be transshipped via Singapore to MSC’s “Euro” service, which calls ports in Australia, Singapore, the Mediterranean and northern Europe.
   MSC said transit times from New Zealand to Asia and Europe will be reduced following the switch to transshipment.
   The joint eastbound and westbound services of P&O Nedlloyd, Contship, CMA CGM, Hamburg Sud, Marfret and Hapag-Lloyd connecting Australasia and Europe continue to provide a direct service to the New Zealand port of Auckland, but do not serve Tauranga and Lyttleton direct, according to ComPair Data, the global liner-shipping database.