Pacific Forum Line taken over by Neptune.
APIA: THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2013: Neptune Pacific Line Inc. (NPL) has reached agreement with the Government of Samoa to purchase a 50% controlling interest in Pacific Forum Line (PFL).
This brings together two Pacific Island specialists, with highly complementary service routes, 6 chartered and owned agencies in Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Australia and New Zealand, and an extensive 3rd party agency network in American Samoa, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and Nauru.
As a result of this agreement Neptune and PFL will provide services to all Forum countries except Tuvalu, Niue and Marshall Islands, fulfilling the commitment of the Government of Samoa to the Forum member’s countries in maintaining the mission of PFL in the Pacific region.
“Our ability to offer unrivalled global and regional scope, specializing in the South Pacific Islands to our customers and our international connecting carrier partners means when you think South pacific Islands, you need to think no further than NPL and PFL,” said Rolf Rasmussen, Managing Director of NPL.
“All of our assets, every ship, every container, every person, every minute of every day, is totally dedicated to this specialized shipping zone,” he said.
“Through our network of shipping services and agencies, stevedoring operations and depots, as well as our far reaching global partnerships, we will offer the fastest and most comprehensive network to and from Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Intra-Pacific Islands, North and South East Asia, Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East Gulf, North and South America and as well as Europe,” said Rasmussen.
“We are very pleased with his historic new partnership with NPL. It ensures trade security and continuity for the Samoan people, as well as the Pacific Forum Nation that PFL was created to serve and also reinforces the employment of Samoan seafarers on ships around the world,” said PFL Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo.
Both PFL and NPL brands will remain in the market.
About Neptune Pacific Line
NPL is part of Roll Global, a 3 billion international company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. It’s other companies include Fiji Water, Paramount Farms, Paramount Citrus, Teleflora, POM Wonderful and Suterra
NPL was established in 1997 to provide liner and bulk shipping services in the trades between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Today NPL is a ship owner and operator active in liner, bulk and project markets in the Pacific.
Through connecting carriers agreement and third party agencies agreement, NPL provides liner services between Fiji, Asia, the Indian Sub-continent, Europe, South Africa and North America. To support these activities, we have fully owned agencies in Australia, NZ and Fiji.
About Pacific Forum Line
Founded by 12 pacific forum countries, PFL is a beacon of regional trade and development in the Pacific islands for over 35 years. Government of Samoa made the bold move of acquiring all 100% shares of PFL in October 2012 to secure a sustainable shipping service for Samoa and Forum countries.