New Zealand Ocean network - Polaris service upgrade

In connection with ongoing disruptions across the New Zealand supply chain we have undertaken a thorough review of our ocean network, and we are pleased to share the details with you here.

We are introducing certain network adjustments to support our strong commitment in aiming to continuously meet the requirements of our New Zealand importers and exporters. Maersk strives to provide a flexible and stable service offering that enables our New Zealand customers to manage their end-to-end supply chains and grow their businesses.

The Polaris service will be upgraded to a weekly service, effective from April. The Polaris service connects New Zealand with Australia and the service upgrade will provide an improved Trans-Tasman connection and increased product flexibility by enabling New Zealand cargo routings over Australia, as well as Lyttelton on our extensive Oceania network.

As part of this network change, the Maersk Coastal Connect service will be phased out, during month of April. Alternative coverage of Nelson and Timaru will be offered weekly on the Polaris service.

The Polaris – Our Dedicated Trans-Tasman Service

Starting from TRIESTE TRADER calling Nelson on 20 March 2023, this dedicated service between Australia and New Zealand will be increased to a weekly frequency, offering our customers improved cargo connections within Oceania. We will be replacing the Sydney call in Australia with Melbourne, strengthening our Trans-Tasman coverage to/from Melbourne while enabling transshipment opportunities for New Zealand export cargo in Melbourne.

PORT ROTATION: MELBOURNE > AUCKLAND* > NELSON > TIMARU > LYTTELTON > MELBOURNE
*Port o Auckland will be served on a fortnightly basis

Full schedule of the 3 ships that will be deployed on the Polaris service will be as follows.

Trieste trader

B trader

Nicolai Maersk

Timaru ports

Nelson ports

We will continue to keep you updated on any further adjustments to the Oceania service schedules, as we continue to operate a flexible network to enable the New Zealand supply chain.

Should you have any questions on how these changes will impact your cargo please reach out to your customer experience representative via our Live Chat.