New Zealand - Freight Partnership May Extend To Wool Exporter

A joint shipping venture between New Zealand's two biggest exporters, Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms, may soon be extended to include the largest wool exporter.

The farmer-owned co-operatives formed a company called Kotahi Logistics a year ago to manage the movement of containers to and from ports.

The venture received Commerce Commission approval six months ago and is designed to better meet shipping demands and stop the transportation of empty containers.

Kotahi Logistics chief executive Chris Greenough says it has been an interesting first year, with record dairy production and port strikes.

However, he says the focus is now on extending the venture to include other primary sector companies, including Wool Services, and the next step will be to increase efficiency in the shipping market.