MOVe Oceans, the shipping division of freight and logistics specialist MOVe Logistics Group, has introduced a monthly break-bulk trans-Tasman service linking Northport with Brisbane and Port Alma in Queensland, and Tasmania’s Bell Bay. Northport is the only North Island port on the route, with subsequent calls at Nelson, Dunedin and Bluff.

The first call took place today (Thursday 12 June). The route is serviced by the 9,000-tonne general cargo vessel Brio Faith. This is equipped to carry a mix of containers, break-bulk, flat racks and oversized project cargo, making it a good fit for the diverse freight needs of the Northland region. The multi-purpose vessel has capacity for 630 containers and is equipped with its own cranes, offering Northport customers more choice and greater control over their supply chains.

MOVe Oceans has been operating its trans-Tasman route since 2022 to cater for regional exporters. It said the introduction of this service underscored Northland’s growing significance in Australasian trade. It reflected strong demand from regional exporters and was a clear sign of the region’s increasing trade vitality.

It said the introduction of the service would be welcome news for Northland exporters in the forestry, dairy, horticulture and manufacturing sectors, among others. It provided a reliable new gateway to Australian markets and underscored the value of building logistics resilience through regional ports.

General manager Anthony Browne said the service was already well-subscribed with bagged and over-dimension break-bulk cargo, along with project cargoes, and was looking forward to servicing new Northland customers.

“This is a game-changer for importers and exporters across the upper North Island,” said Mr Browne. “MOVe Oceans delivers the kind of modern, agile service customers have been waiting for—reliable, versatile, and built for the real needs of regional businesses. We are one of the few providers to offer a specialist over-dimension cargo offer, from large machinery to structural steel, cranes, windfarm blades and more. With a strong foundation of trusted customers and a stable, well-established service, we’re excited to help unlock new possibilities for importers and exporters in the upper North Island.”

Northport’s commercial manager David Finchett said Northport had enjoyed working with the MOVe Oceans team to establish the option and was delighted by today’s maiden call. 

“It provides a direct shipping corridor between the Upper North Island and key regional ports in Australia, as well as making the South Island more accessible for Northland businesses,” he said.

The service is a strong endorsement of Northport’s infrastructure, capacity and strategic location. With deep-water berths, extensive laydown areas and over 180 hectares of land available for expansion, Marsden Point is seen increasingly as a viable alternative to congested metropolitan ports.

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About Northport

Northport, situated at Marsden Point at the mouth of Whangarei Harbour, is New Zealand’s northernmost deep-water port. It is a flexible facility catering for large, multi-purpose vessels and full cargo handling facilities are available from its 570 metre linear berth.

Logs, woodchip and processed timber for export comprise the bulk of cargo handled by the port. Since the introduction of container handling equipment the port has enabled both coastal and international container trade. Other export items include kiwifruit, dairy products and manufactured goods. Imports are an important part of Northport’s business and include fertiliser, gypsum, coal and palm kernel.