The China Navigation Company (CNCo), the deep sea shipping arm of the multinational Swire Group, has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire Pacifica Shipping (Pacifica) from the Skeggs Group of companies in New Zealand. CNCo has been a long term participant in the New Zealand’s maritime and transport industry. The first Swire vessel called to New Zealand 130 years ago. Today Swire explains that it has extensive interests in agencies, stevedoring, logistics and multipurpose liner shipping services. Swire Shipping, CNCo’s liner shipping arm, currently operates five independent multi-purpose liner services from New Zealand to Asia, Australia, North America and the Pacific Islands.