Tasmanian exporters will receive a boost with the announcement that the world’s largest shipping line will make weekly trips into Bell Bay.
Maersk Line’s new service, known as the “Tasman Star”, will commence in February 2017 and will provide a fixed day, weekly service linking Bell Bay with Melbourne and Sydney, and the New Zealand ports of Tauranga-Lyttleton and Timaru.
This is good news as it will connect Tasmanian exporters to the world through Maersk’s global connections, resulting in a boost to the northern economy and allowing the potential for expansion and job creation in our important export sector.
It reflects the strength in Tasmanian markets and is just the latest sign of confidence in the industry since the Hodgman Government was elected.
MSC, the world’s second-largest contain shipping company, commenced fortnightly calls to Bell Bay in February 2015 and recently announced it is expanding this to two calls per week, and Swire shipping commenced calls into the Hobart port from November 2015.
This is on top of the expansion of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, which has turbo-charged Tasmania’s export sector and created job opportunities right across the state.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
