APL will expand its service network in Oceania with the launch of its New Zealand Express II service.

The NZ2 service will offer a weekly connection between North Asia and New Zealand.

“APL introduced the new NZ2 service to serve the China-New Zealand market in a direct and more efficient way,” said Tonnie Lim, head of intra-Asia trade. “Compared to transhipment options, the NZ2 service provides our customers with dedicated and faster connectivity between the North Asia and Oceania markets. The direct service will enable businesses to accelerate their products’ speed and access to these markets, as they seize new growth opportunities in the region.”

The NZ2 service will have a port rotation of: Shanghai – Ningbo – Chiwan – Kaohsiung – Brisbane – Auckland – Port Chalmers – Lyttelton – Napier – Tauranga – Hong Kong – Keelung. The first sailing will be from Shanghai on December 29, 2016.

APL’s current Oceania network consists of five services connecting Asia with Australia and New Zealand.