Successful joint venture with McCallum Bros and a new multi-purpose vessel project
Nova Marine Carriers is venturing nearly 20,000 kilometres from its base in Lugano to launch a coastal shipping line in New Zealand. The company, a global leader in cement transport, is broadening its diversification into Oceania.
This expansion comes through a 50/50 joint venture with McCallum Bros Ltd (MBL), a historic New Zealand shipping company. The new MBL/Nova Marine JV will operate transport services between New Zealand and the Chatham Islands.
The Chatham Islands, 800 km east of New Zealand, depend on reliable sea connections. Their current vessel, the 40-year-old Southern Tiare, can no longer guarantee consistent service. To secure the islands’ supply chain, the New Zealand Ministry of Transport launched a tender.
The JV won with a proposal centred on a new multipurpose vessel, designed in Lugano in collaboration with RINA. The ship will carry containers, fuel, vehicles, and livestock. It will enter service in mid-2027. Capable of moving up to 70,000 stock units per year, it will ensure a dependable and cost-effective maritime lifeline for the islands over the next 20 years.
MBL, run by four generations, has long operated in South Pacific coastal shipping, towing, beach replenishment, and sand transport for construction. Nova Marine brings global experience, technical expertise, and a record of fleet diversification.
“This joint venture is a turning point for us,” said Vincenzo Romeo, CEO of Nova Marine Carriers. “We planned to enter the New Zealand market for some time. By the end of this year, one of our cement carriers will already be operating in these waters. Partnering with McCallum Bros allows us to combine flexibility with reliability in a volatile shipping industry.”
He added: “Our presence in the South Pacific, so far from home, shows that we are ready for new challenges. We want to reaffirm Nova Marine as a global and reliable brand.”
The project signals Nova Marine’s push into new markets and underscores the company’s adaptability in a fast-changing global shipping landscape.
