As the provider of the only direct multipurpose liner service between Fiji and Port Moresby, the General Manager of Swire's Liner Trades, Mr Jeremy Sutton, said that "…the introduction of a direct port call …further supports Swire Shipping's commitment to the Papua New Guinea community.

"Swire Shipping has provided multipurpose liner service in the Asia Pacific region for over one hundred years. For our valued customers, this enhancement brings about improved frequency, faster transit time and better coverage."

The transit time from New Zealand will be extremely fast, at only eight days, which Sutton says is "ideal for time-sensitive or refrigerated cargo". He added the news of the four direct calls from Brisbane, and increased export coverage from PNG to the rest of Asia.

"The enhanced service will offer an eight-day transit time from New Zealand, and four direct calls per month from Brisbane, Australia.

"It is the only direct service connecting Lautoka and Suva in Fiji to Port Moresby. In return, it offers up to three calls per month from Port Moresby to the rest of Asia."

The upgrade to services in PNG will be supported by Swire Shipping's multipurpose vessels, the MV Kweilin and MV Nanchang, which are from its East South East Asia (ESEA) service, and are capable of carrying containerised, refrigerated, breakbulk and project cargos.