N.Z. goods bound for Chile

Press, 30 December 1982, Page 4

N.Z. goods bound for Chile

The first big shipment of New Zealand exports to Chile since the lifting of the trade ban in October will leave in a ship expected to sail from Lyttelton today. The Regina will carry more than 3000 tonnes of cargo, including agricultural produce and manufactured goods, to the port of Valparaiso. The 5812-ton Regina arrived at Lyttelton from Sydney on Sunday. She’ is in service for the Brazilian national shipping line, Lloyd Brasiliero.

More ships on the company's direct run to Chile are expected to arrive in New Zealand early next year. However, the Sloman Najade and the Sloman Nereus are scheduled to call only at Auckland. According to Mr J. G. H. Tait, Christchurch area manager of Seatrans, Lloyd's New Zealand agent more ships sailing direct to Chile may call at Lyttelton next year if enough cargo is available. He said the Regina’s visit to Lyttelton was “a oncer for

this season." He was pleased with the way in which the loading of the ship had gone. The manager of Seatrans, Mr Richard Shaw, said yesterday that the departure of the Regina was the first direct sailing of a regular liner service ship from New Zealand to Chile since the lifting of the trade ban, Mr Shaw said the lifting of the ban had resulted in many shipping lines becoming interested in restarting a direct New Zealand-to-Chile service. However, ’ he said the volume of trade which could

be expected after an eightyear trade ban could not support a lot of services. “New Zealand exporters are recognising that they must concentrate their efforts on re-establishing credibility and assuring potential customers continuity of supply,” he said. Lloyd Brasiliero has run a regular liner service between Brazil and Australia and New Zealand for the last eight years. It also shipped New Zealand goods to Chile before the trade ban.