Shipping service link to Asia

PORT OF CALL: The giant container ship Conti Emden is one of the MSC Capricorn vessels that will launch the new Australia-South East Asian schedule later this month.PHOTO/ SUPPLIED 040714WCSUP01

Wanganui exporters and importers will be able to latch on to a new shipping service out of Wellington that starts later this month.

Mediterranean Shipping Company Capricorn will start a weekly service from the capital to Brisbane and South East Asian ports from July 22.

Blair O'Keeffe, CentrePort chief executive, said the establishment of the MSC Capricorn service was "good news" for importers and exporters across the lower North Island.

"The weekly service will take central New Zealand goods to Brisbane and Southeast Asian markets," Mr O'Keeffe said.

"This is further good news for our region's exporters, who need reliable and regular access to these rapidly growing markets."

CentrePort supports nearly $2 billion a year of economic activity in the region, and new services such as this would see that contribution grow in the future, he said.

"The Wanganui region is very important to CentrePort and our work to attract this service was directly related to meeting the region's needs," he said.

"This service will benefit exporters and importers in the Wanganui region, by providing more shipping services, with access to Brisbane and South East Asia and connections to the Americas.

"It also supports importers and exporters to consolidate their trade into one hub port in central New Zealand," Mr O'Keeffe said.