New Zealand Could Lose Its Last National-Flagged Container Ship

New Zealand could be left without its last national-flagged container shipping service. Swire Shipping is considering ending the cabotage operations of Pacifica Shipping, a decision that would mean the withdrawal of the vessel "Moana Chief" (IMO 9516741), the last container ship in the country with a New Zealand flag and local crew.

The vessel is scheduled to leave New Zealand at the end of July for a maintenance stop at a shipyard in Asia, as the country does not have a dry dock with sufficient capacity for this type of work. After this stop, the company suggests that the vessel may not return to operate in the coastal service of the country.

The potential withdrawal of the "Moana Chief" has raised concerns in New Zealand's maritime sector. The Maritime Union of New Zealand has described the situation as a "catastrophic milestone" for the country's economic resilience and has called for changes in legislation to limit international vessels from transporting cargo between New Zealand ports.

For years, Pacifica Shipping has been the main operator of container maritime transport between the North Island and the South Island, complementing road and rail transport. The company even had two national-flagged container ships, the "Moana Chief," with a capacity of 1,700 TEU, and the "Takutai Chief" (IMO 9519327), with a capacity of 1,300 TEU, but the latter was withdrawn in 2024.

If the "Moana Chief" ultimately leaves the fleet, New Zealand will lose its last container ship with a national flag at a time when many countries are strengthening their fleets to improve the security of their supply chains and strategic capacity.

Photo: Vessel Finder (Brent Mowbray)