New Zealand ports consider merger

Two ports in New Zealand's South Island are looking at merging to provide some much needed consolidation, Reuters reported.
Lyttelton Port Company, which serves the South Island's largest city of Christchurch, and Port Otago will begin talks on the structure of a new port, and said the benefits will include increased productivity, operational efficiencies and the co-ordination of future developments.
Ports in New Zealand are targeting consolidation as ship visits from major lines such as Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM and Hamburg Sud decline due to rationalisation and because of larger container ships that require only one New Zealand stop.