SPICT welcomes upgraded NAX service

The MV Lae Chief during its maiden call at SPICT

South Pacific International Container Terminal welcomed the first port call in Papua New Guinea (PNG) of Swire Shipping’s upgraded North Asia Express (NAX) Service on November 22.

The fixed-day fortnightly service offers a direct connection between North Asia, PNG and Australia through the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Hong Kong SAR, Lae, Port Moresby, and Townsville.

The maiden call of the NAX service at the Port of Lae was marked by the arrival of the newly built MV Lae Chief, Swire Shipping’s first 2,750 TEU newbuild.  The 187-meter long ship is the first of three newly built eco-friendly ships to be deployed to the service.  The other two vessels, namely the MV Noumea Chief and MV Suva Chief, are expected to join the rotation in 2021.  The trio will be Swire Shipping’s largest container vessels to call PNG.

SPICT held a simple ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the new service, during which George Gware, SPICT General Manager, presented a commemorative plaque to the MV Lae Chief’s vessel master.