Shipping Australia signs up Neptune Pacific Line

MELBOURNE — Neptune Pacific Line has joined Shipping Australia, the national body representing most of the country’s shipping activity, as a full voting member.

Shipping Australia CEO Rod Nairn was enthusiastic about their new member. "Neptune Pacific Line has real hands-on experience in the challenges of operating in the Pacific. They bring another level of expertise that strengthens our knowledge base and our influence,” he said.

The association comprises 35 member lines and shipping agents that are involved with over 70 percent of Australia’s container and car trade, and more than 60 percent of break bulk and bulk trades.

“It is a natural evolution that Neptune Pacific Line (NPL) has decided to become a full member of Shipping Australia Limited,” said Neptune’s managing director Rolf Rasmussen. "Over the last few years NPL has grown via acquisitions, and I want to ensure that regional shipping has a voice and input at SAL.”

NPL is a member of Roll Global, which includes FIJI Water, Paramount Farms, Paramount Citrus, Justin and Landmark Wines, Vintage Nurseries, Teleflora, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Brands and Suterra. Roll acquired Neptune Shipping Line in December 2007 and commenced trading as Neptune Pacific Line.

In 2014, Neptune formed a JV with the government of Samoa for the Pacific Forum Line, and also acquired Polynesian Shipping Line, making them one of the largest regional shipping lines in Oceania.

"I know that our membership will, with our liner, bulk and tramp operations, as well as ship technical capabilities locally, contribute positively to policy discussions just as we will gain benefit from the information provided by SAL and it’s members on industry matters,” Rasmussen said.

According to Nairn it would be a winning partnership with NPL adding a new perspective to the already diverse membership, and Shipping Australia providing broad expertise and a strong industry voice. “Together we can promote good shipping policy. The benefits of that return to our members and also flow on to the Australian economy,” he said.