World's largest shipping line returns to Wellington
Maersk Line has announced it will resume its weekly container shipping service to Wellington.
The service will return once CentrePort has completed works that will allow its ship-to-shore cranes to operate. These
works were required following damage sustained in the November 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. They are expected to be largely
complete by September.
The Jens Maersk, deployed on Maersk Line's Northern Star service and capable of carrying 3,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot
Equivalent Unit), will make its first call at CentrePort on 18 September.
Gerard Morrison, Maersk Line Oceania's managing director, applauded CentrePort’s efforts to complete the structural
repairs needed to become fully operational again.
"CentrePort has kept us fully informed of its progress over the last nine months and we are very pleased to return to
Wellington with our weekly Northern Star service. It allows us to serve our customers in the region faster and more
efficiently,” said Mr. Morrison.
CentrePort Chief Executive Derek Nind welcomed the return of Maersk.
“We look forward to working with Maersk in the future as we resume our strong growth in container shipping volumes.
“This is great news for the region’s economy,” Derek Nind said.
Maersk Line's Northern Star service deploys six 3,000-TEU sized vessels. The service makes six weekly port calls around
New Zealand each week, connecting Kiwi consumers to goods, businesses to markets and enabling global trade. Through
Maersk Line’s service network, New Zealand has access to 113 countries around the world.
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About CentrePort
CentrePort, its customers, and service providers support 21,350 full-time equivalent jobs across central New Zealand and
contribute $2.5 billion to the regional economy. CentrePort is 76.4% owned by Greater Wellington Regional Council and
23.6% by Horizons Regional Council.
About Maersk Line
Maersk Line is the world’s largest container shipping company, known for reliable, flexible and eco-efficient services.
Part of A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S, headquartered in Copenhagen