Swire Shipping will boost shipping services between Fiji and Australia.

The upgraded service announcement includes some Pacific Island countries.

The move has been welcomed by Fiji’s Textile Clothing and Footwear Council, where some of its members trade directly with Australia.

“I am pleased to see Swire pick up these services vacated by Neptune,” council president, Mike Towler said.

Swire Shipping commercial manager Pacific Islands Iain Stewart yesterday said: “We also have our continuing second service option for our Fiji export customers from Fiji to Brisbane direct on our East South East Asia service, which boast an approximate 13 day transit time.”

Swire Shipping said it would deploy and operate two vessels providing a direct and regular liner service between Australia and the Pacific Islands.

The frequency of the service will be every 18 days, and will call main ports in Australia:
– Melbourne,
– Sydney,
– Brisbane,
– Noumea,
– Port Vila,
– Lautoka,
– Suva,
– Apia,
– Pago Pago, and
– Nuku’Alofa.

“Our upgraded service is a result of the recent termination of the Operational Slot Charter Agreement between Swire Shipping, Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL) and Pacific Forum Line (PFL) which ceases in May 2021,” Swire Shipping said in a statement dated April 1.

The independent two-vessel service operated by Swire Shipping on a 18-day frequency will offer a regular liner service, providing direct port-to-port access and delivery into the Pacific Islands.

The rotation service route is Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane – Noumea – Port Vila – Lautoka – Suva – Apia – Pago Pago – Nuku’Alofa.

MV Kokopo Chief, a CNCo-owned vessel, will remain in the service, Swire Shipping said.

“The Australia to Pacific Islands service (PIS), will remain integrated with our Australia to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands services, continuing to provide a 10-day frequency and direct liner schedule into and out of the region,” Swire Shipping said.

“Being an independent service will facilitate better control on meeting schedule commitments, delivering and ensuring improved voyage spacing, t/s connections and long-term schedule reliability.

“Swire Shipping remains deeply committed to providing exporters with certainty of direct sailings, and has made a significant investment to continue servicing the Pacific Islands with a direct liner shipping service from Australia.

“Your continued support will ensure that we can continue to provide a sustainable and reliable direct shipping service to and from the Pacific Islands.”

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj