Swire Bulk Logistics, the industrial shipping division of The China Navigation Company (CNCo), has entered into a long term partnership with New Zealand’s Golden Bay Cement (GBC), a trading division of Fletcher Building Ltd, to build, own and operate a dedicated, self-discharging cement carrier.

The 9000dwt vessel, named Aotearoa Chief, to be built at China’s Jinling shipyard, is specifically designed to operate on the New Zealand coast, with a view to optimising supply chain efficiency.

“As part of Golden Bay’s long term commitment to New Zealand manufacture and distribution of cement, we are pleased to be working with Swire in this long term partnership. We recognise the expertise and resources that Swire brings to the partnership will complement our existing distribution capability and increase the flexibility in our supply chain, strengthening the overall service to our customers nationwide,” said Richard Barnes, Supply Chain Manager of GBC.

The vessel is expected to commence operations in late 2016. She will operate under the New Zealand flag, and ply the New Zealand coast between the loading port of Portland and GBC’s distribution centres in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, as well as expanded services to New Plymouth and Picton.

Upon completion, Aotearoa Chief will become CNCo’s first self-discharging cement carrier. In recent years, CNCo has invested in a fleet of multipurpose liner vessels and bulk carriers to meet the demands of the New Zealand market. A total of 17 vessels have been delivered over the past 18 months and another 23 are scheduled for delivery over the next two years.