Following Neptune Pacific Line’s acquisition of Pacific Direct Line from Pacific International Lines in March, the company has rebranded to Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL).
The company provides liner shipping services between Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands and will start issuing bills of lading under its new name in mid-December. NDPL also offers connections to North-east and South-east Asia through slot-sharing agreements with other carriers.
NDPL managing director Rolf Rasmussen said, “Only our name is changing. Existing agreements and business relationships with customers and vendors remain unaffected. This move simply recognises the synergies between our liner brands.”
NPDL and the Samoan government also have a 50-50 joint venture, Pacific Forum Line, which offers a liner service covering the South Pacific islands including Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
The sale of Pacific Direct Line was part of the Singapore-based PIL’s plan to generate cash as it sought to restructure and re-profile its debt.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
