Lugano-based Nova Marine Carriers has teamed up with New Zealand’s McCallum Bros in a 50/50 joint venture that will replace the ageing multipurpose vessel (MPP) on the supply run to the Chatham Islands.
The MBL/Nova Marine partnership won the government tender with a proposal centred on an MPP newbuilding designed to carry containers, fuel, vehicles and livestock. The ship, developed in collaboration with RINA and Nova’s technical office in Lugano, is expected to enter service in mid-2027.
The vessel will handle around 70,000 stock units a year under the minimum voyage contract, providing a lifeline service to the island communities 800 km east of New Zealand.
The tender was launched by the Ministry of Transport due to reliability issues with the 1,200 dwt Southern Tiare, which has been in service for nearly 40 years. Officials said the JV’s solution offered the best long-term value and sustainability for the next two decades of island supply.
McCallum Bros, a fourth-generation operator active in coastal shipping, towage and construction-related transport in the South Pacific, brings local expertise, while Nova Marine — controlled by the Romeo and Gozzi families — has grown into a global player and cement carrier leader.
The deal marks Nova Marine’s first foothold in Oceania, complementing its cement shipping leadership and diversified fleet elsewhere.
“For some time we have been planning to enter the New Zealand shipping space,” said Vincenzo Romeo, chief executive of Nova Marine Carriers, adding: “The joint venture with McCallum Bros marks a turning point for our group, showing that to grow in today’s uncertain market, you need maximum flexibility and a willingness to take on challenges that once seemed unthinkable.”
