Cool job for huge ship

By SCOTT MacLEOD

The world's biggest refrigerated container ship will dock today in Auckland, where it will be officially named Remuera.

The new Albatross-class ship is one of seven that global shipping giant P&O Nedlloyd will use to carry New Zealand meat, dairy food, ice cream, tulip bulbs and other perishable goods to markets in North America and Europe.

It is also the biggest container ship of any kind to visit NZ.

The statistics speak for themselves. Remuera is nearly as long as three rugby fields, and her load of 4100 shipping containers would be three times the height of Mt Cook if stacked on top of each other.

Remuera has power plugs to refrigerate 1300 of those containers - more than any other ship, and equal in capacity to all the domestic fridges in NZ.

P&O said the extra refrigeration was needed because of the great bulk of chilled and frozen goods shipped from NZ.

P&O has a tradition of naming ships after the Auckland suburb. More than 25 years ago, its Remuera Bay was one of the biggest refrigerated container ships.

A commentator for NZ Shipping Gazette, Dave MacIntyre, said the Albatross ships gave several benefits to exporters.

Remuera's speed - 25 knots - meant New Zealand goods would reach markets quickly.

The high-tech containers had their own refrigerators and could keep goods cool after being unloaded. And the big investment in refrigeration showed that P&O saw a long-term future in shipping NZ goods.

The firm's NZ managing director, Gary Quirke, said naming the new ship Remuera was a clear signal of the firm's commitment to this country for the next 25 years.

Ports of Auckland general manager (Axis Intermodal) Sandy Gibson said much work had been done to accommodate ships of Remuera's size in Auckland.

Two new cranes had been ordered from China for $18.5 million, two powerful new tugs bought, $100 million earmarked for a 9.5ha extension to container facilities, and $20 million set aside to deepen the Rangitoto channel shipping lane by 1.5m.

Remuera is on her maiden voyage from Korea and due to berth at the Ports' Axis Fergusson terminal at 7.15 am today. She will officially be named tomorrow, at a ceremony at Princes Wharf.