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South Island News

06 Nov 2023

Inchcape Acquires Full Ownership of ISS-McKay

(Photo: Inchcape Shipping Services)

Inchcape Shipping Services has acquired McKay Shipping Limited's share of ISS-McKay Limited, giving it full full ownership ownership of the joint venture that was set up in 2008to conduct core port agency business in New Zealand.ISS-McKay provides full coverage to the North and South Island of New Zealand through its network of eight port offices and 41 local staff, with market shares in cruise, dry bulk, tanker, liner and ship manager markets.As part of the joint venture, Inchcape Shipping Services established itself as the majority shareholder…

04 Jan 2023

Hull Fouling Spoils Australia-New Zealand Cruise

Viking Cruises will compensate hundreds of passengers on its Orion cruise ship after cruisers were forced to stay on board and miss multiple stops because officials blocked port access due to marine growth on the ship's hull.The 930-guest capacity Viking Orion docked in Sydney on Wednesday, the final stop on what is normally a 15-day, 9-stop cruise of New Zealand and Australia.But plans went awry, local media reported, after New Zealand officials asked the ship to leave the country's waters part way through its cruise after finding small amounts of biofoul - plants, algae and small animals - that grow on ship hulls.Steaming directly to the southern Australian port of Adelaide and bypassing planned stops in Tasmania and New Zealand's south island…

14 Dec 2022

StraitNZ Bluebridge Opts for Hogia Ferry Systems

Image courtesy Bluebridge

New Zealand ferry operator StraitNZ Bluebridge reached an agreement with Hogia Ferry Systems for delivery and implementation of its standard reservation software BOOKIT.Bluebridge operates two ropax ferries between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island, across Cook Strait. Hogia Ferry Systems is part of the Hogia Group, one of Sweden's largest software companies with 600 employees in Sweden, Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom.

03 Jun 2020

New Zealand's KiwiRail to Order RoPax Pair

(Image: OSK-ShipTech)

New Zealand's state-owned KiwiRail has issued a request for proposal to find a preferred shipyard to build two new RoPax ferries for operator Interislander.The international tender follows a NZ$400 Million (US$256.1 million) contribution to the 2020 Budget that enables KiwiRail to procure two new modernized vessels for service between capitol Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island. When entering into operation in 2024 and 2025, the new ferries will replace the existing fleet of three ships…

13 Jun 2019

Port Nelson Gets New Tug

New Zealand's Port Nelson has taken delivery of the new tug boat Huria Matenga II tug.Arriving from Vietnam, the Damen built 70 tonne bollard pull, 2441 tug, was welcomed by the Port's existing tug fleet as well as the pilot and harbour master boats.Pilot John Tregidga was aboard the Huria Matenga II, 35 years and 7 months since the Huria Matenga arrived at Port Nelson from Japan. John was part of the crew who sailed the Huria Matenga from Japan back in 1983.A small blessing ceremony for the Huria Matenga II was conducted by iwi ahead of the tug starting operations.The ceremony was led by Archdeacon Harvey Ruru and included members of Huria Matenga’s tribe, Ngati Tama.

01 Nov 2018

NZ Harbour Welcomes its Largest Container Ship

The largest Port in the South Island of New Zealand, Lyttelton Port, has welcomed its largest ever container ship.The Singapore–flagged Rio de Janeiro, which can carry nearly 6000 containers and is the length of about three rugby fields, arrived early Saturday.Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) Chief Executive, Peter Davie said, “The Rio de Janeiro is a new class of ship to call at Lyttelton. She can carry 5,905 twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEUs), while the largest container vessels currently visiting Lyttelton commonly carry 4,500 to 5,000 TEUs.“This is an important milestone for Lyttelton Port and our customers. We are delighted to welcome the Rio de Janeiro to Canterbury…

03 Oct 2018

Fines for Cruise Ship Grounding Total $100,000

A French cruise company and ship’s Master have been fined $70,000 and $30,000 respectively for endangering human life and entering a prohibited zone following a grounding incident in the remote New Zealand Subantarctic islands.French company Compagnie du Ponant and Captain Regis Daumesnil, a French citizen, were sentenced Tuesday in the Wellington District Court after pleading guilty to charges following the January 2017 grounding of the cruise ship L’Austral on an uncharted rock at the Snares Islands.Both Maritime NZ and the Department of Conservation (DOC) brought charges against Captain Daumesnil, with DOC also prosecuting the company.

10 Feb 2017

International Navy Friendships Strengthened in Crisis

The Royal Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Navies took part in anti-submarine warfare exercises off the east coast of New Zealand late last year. Exercise NGA TAHI sought to strengthen relations and refine common operating procedures between the participating nations. Australian submarine HMAS Dechaineux exercised for three days with Anzac frigates, HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Te Mana, HMCS Vancouver and a P-3K2 Orion from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Scenarios escalated from basic tracking exercises to whole-of-force protection of a high value unit. Dechaineux Sonar Officer, Lieutenant Nathan Whitelaw, said the exercise allowed Australian sailors to hone their skills during high end warfare scenarios.

25 Nov 2016

Damen Tug Commissioned by Port Nelson

Port Nelson, positioned at the top of New Zealand’s South Island at the head of Tasman Bay, has taken delivery of a Damen ASD Tug 2310. Named TōIA, which is Maori for ‘to pull’, she is the first new tug there for 32 years and represents a significant upgrade of capability. Jointly owned by the Nelson City Council and the Tasman District Council, Port Nelson is a vital hub for the regional economy and is investing in its infrastructure both ashore and afloat in anticipation of growth in the years ahead. In recent years the port has been steadily receiving ever larger ships, with vessels of up to 248m becoming regular visitors. Port Nelson is also not the easiest harbour in which to manoeuver.

19 Nov 2016

HMAS Darwin completes support to Kaikoura earthquake relief

After helping to deliver 216 tonnes of disaster relief, HMAS Darwin has completed support to residents of the Kaikoura area following the earthquake that struck the South Island of New Zealand on Monday. The disaster relief stores flown by Australian and Coalition helicopters included 13,000 kilograms of food, 2780kg of fruit and vegetables, 6000kg of rice, pasta and flour, four generators, two portable pumps and 10,000kg of pet food. “HMAS Darwin was diverted from her planned participation in the International Naval Review in Auckland and steamed to Kaikoura in response to a request from the New Zealand Government following the earthquake,” said the Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne. “The ship arrived in Kaikoura on Wednesday (16 Nov) evening.

18 Nov 2016

Australian Navy Frigate on Task in Kaikoura

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin has sailed to Kaikoura to provide humanitarian and disaster relief support at the request of the New Zealand government. Darwin is using her embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter for the evacuation of civilians and the distribution of emergency supplies. Commanding Officer, HMAS Darwin, Commander Phillip Henry said the ship and its 200 personnel will remain flexible to any tasks that may be required. “We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to help our close friends and neighbours in their time of need,” he said. Darwin, together with warships from the United States, Canada, Japan and Singapore, was scheduled to participate in the country's International Naval Review, in celebration of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 75th Anniversary.

16 Nov 2016

Navy Ships out New Zealand Quake Survivors

Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Sampson (DDG 102).

Hundreds of survivors stranded by a huge earthquake that struck central New Zealand three days ago reached Christchurch by a naval ship early on Thursday, as engineers in the capital Wellington assessed the state of dozens of damaged buildings. Around 450 tourists and residents from the small seaside town of Kaikoura were taken by the New Zealand navy's multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury to Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, overnight. Kaikoura, a fishing community and popular whale watching base ringed by steep mountains…

14 Nov 2016

Large Earthquake Damages New Zealand Ports and Infrastructure

New Zealand’s largest earthquake in 150 years has led to a number of port and infrastructure issues, advises Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS). The ports of Wellington and Picton suffered damages after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the upper South Island of New Zealand at midnight local time on November 14. Wellington authorities said both the port and wharf gates will remain closed for the next week, and no ship or cargo operations will be permitted. As and when certain sections are cleared by engineers selective operations may be allowed to recommence during this period, ISS said. Wellington has gantry crane issues, wharf subsidence and log pile collapses. Cook Strait cargo/pax ferries are all at anchor as terminals at Wellington and Picton have substantial damage.

22 Feb 2016

Ports of Auckland Interim Profit Up

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson has announced a ‘solid’ half year result for the company, achieved despite a fall in volumes and revenue. The port produced an interim net profit of $31.6 million for the six months to December 31, a 9.5 per cent increase, despite falling revenue and container volumes. Revenue was down 2.2 per cent and container volumes fell 3.3 per cent. The port company declared an interim dividend of $25.9 million, up from $25.5 million a year earlier. "The first half of the year has been anything but plain sailing. Global trade trends and shipping changes have affected container volumes, while China’s slowdown has impacted bulk volumes, particularly iron sand exports," said Gibson.

22 Oct 2015

South Port says Shipping Rates 'Unsustainably Low'

Shipping rates in New Zealand waters have become "unsustainably low" in the wake of supply chain agreements such as between Kotahi and Port of Tauranga,  NBR reports as South Port New Zealand chairman Rex Chapman saying. The company's strategy is to maintain good working relationships with other ports, to take advantage of the "inevitable changes in the port sector. Chapman said that just as Tauranga has now reached into the South Island through Timaru, it is expected that other ports will be seeking to enter into working relationships with one another in order to capture regional cargo outside of their immediate catchment area. Meanwhile, diversifying business streams was paying dividends while plans for an inland port facility in Invercargill were also advancing, Rex Chapman said.

06 Oct 2015

Northern Fleet to Conduct Anti-terrorist Exercises

The sailors of the Northern Fleet will conduct anti-terrorism exercises at Novaya Zemlya. During the exercise, the coast will be a landing. The landing will take place on the west coast of the South Island in the Gulf of Rogachev, the press service of the Northern Fleet. The operation will bring together large landing ship "George" and "Kondopoga". "In the near future in the Gulf of Rogachev will be made reconnaissance and refined areas of unloading equipment and personnel from amphibious assault ships on the coast of Novaya Zemlya," - said in a statement. Amphibious assault will be a way to stop, ie landing ships will approach close to the coastline and military equipment to personnel come directly to the coast.

29 Jan 2015

Pacifica Rolls Out New Container Vessel

Pacifica Shipping, New Zealand's coastal shipping company, is launching a new container vessel from March replacing a smaller vessel whose charter has ended, reports The Stuff. The Spirit of Canterbury would provide greater capacity for customers including reefer cargo and replace the Spirit of Independence whose charter ended in December, says Steven Chapman, CEO of Pacifica. The Spirit of Canterbury will have 1100 container capacity, 57 per cent more than the vessel it replaces. It would offer a dedicated weekly service from Auckland to Lyttelton to Nelson to Tauranga and back to Auckland. The company was focused on having enough additional capacity, specifically from Nelson as part of the new export season.

21 Jan 2015

NZ Manufacturer Bags Anchor Supply Deal

New Zealand maritime manufacturer Coppins Para Sea Anchors has secured a multimillion-dollar contract to supply anchors to a Norwegian salvage company. The family business firm based in Motueka on the South Island has sent the first of two one-tonne sea anchors to the Norwegian Coast Guard. Coppins Outdoor Centre owner and designer Bill Coppins has been devising ways of stopping and steering vessels using the underwater fabric parachute-style anchors, which work by displacing water, since the mid-1970s. Coppins' competitors failed when their sea anchors blew out in testing. Bill claimed that what it took the other companies seven years to do; his firm had to do in seven months.

18 Sep 2014

MNZ Inspectors Board Fishing Vessels Off South Island

A joint operation by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) and the New Zealand Defence Force – Operation Moana – has seen 16 fishing vessels operating off the west coast of the South Island boarded and inspected to ensure they are meeting environmental and safety standards. Two Korean-flagged foreign charter fishing vessels (FCFVs) – Gom 379 and Ser Este 700 – were sent back to port to rectify non-compliances related to marine protection rules. In addition to environmental protection issues, inspection of the vessels covered certification and life-saving appliances, emergency preparedness and working practices. Operation Moana involved assets provided by the NZ Defence Force – the HMNZS Wellington and the RNZAF Orion – enabling MNZ to target vessels while they were operating at sea.

17 Aug 2014

Liebherr-Werk Biberach Wins Orders from Australia & New Zealand

Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH has managed to win several orders in Australia and New Zealand. During the last few weeks four luffing jib cranes from the HC-L series and a top-slewing crane from the EC-H series have left Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH for the voyage down under. Liebherr's exclusive distributor in Australia, Morrow Equipment Co. L.L.C. based in Caringbah, NSW near Sydney, has expanded its crane fleet. Morrow continues to expand its hire fleet with the purchase of two new 542 HC-L 18/36 Litronic cranes and a used 540 HC-L model. The high level of usage of the existing hire fleet, positive signals from the market and several pending large projects in the cities of Sydney and Brisbane were the reasons behind the purchases.

16 Jun 2014

New Zealand Mulls Ocean Floor Mining Proposal

New Zealand decides this week whether to approve an underwater iron-ore operation that would likely become the world's first commercial metals mine at the bottom of the sea. A green light to allow New Zealand's Trans Tasman Resources Ltd to start iron-ore dredging off the country's west coast will encourage others looking to mine copper, cobalt, manganese and other metals deeper on the ocean floor but worried about regulatory hurdles. Along the Pacific Rim of Fire, as deep as 6,000 metres underwater, volcano crusts, "black smoker" chimneys and vast beds of manganese nodules hold promise for economic powers like China and Japan as well as many poor island states busy pegging stakes on the ocean floor.

27 Mar 2014

South Port Orders Liebherr Mobile Harbor Crane

LHM 550 mobile harbor crane (Photo: Liebherr)

South Port NZ Ltd., located at Bluff in New Zealand’s South Island, has just completed the order for a new LHM 550 mobile harbor crane. The crane will be used for container handling for MSC, the port’s containerized cargo customer. The new machine is the third LHM delivered to New Zealand’s southernmost port. “South Port is the regional port operator in Southern New Zealand, and it is important to our clients that we operate with a two-crane model, giving faster turnaround time to the container vessels and allow for projected growth in this area of the business,” said Chairman Rex Chapman.

14 Aug 2013

Pristine NZ Lake Awaits Incat Crowther Designed Ferry

Spirit of Queenstown: Photo courtesy of Incat Crowther

Incat Crowther designed 'Spirit of Queenstown' a 26 m catamaran ferry built by Aluminium Marine in Queensland for Southern Discoveries of New Zealand’s South Island is currently being delivered for service on Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu. Incat Crowther was awarded the design contract on the basis of its ability to work within the tight parameters of the New Zealand government environmental regulations, contributing innovative thinking to develop a versatile and capable vessel, with a focus on low capital and operational cost.