The following release was published by Maersk:
Following the seasonal New Zealand export market demand, Maersk is looking to balance the network and the way we route your cargo. The Southern Star service will return to its standard rotation and thus will cease calling Melbourne until further notice.
Our primary focus remains to minimise the impact to our customers by ensuring minimal disruption to your supply chain by offering alternative routings and coverage.
Updated Southern Star rotation: Tanjung Pelepas - Singapore - Sydney - Tauranga - Napier - Lyttleton - Port Chalmers - Tanjung Pelepas
The first vessel with updated routing is Rio Bravo voyage 324N scheduled to depart from Port Chalmers on 14 July 2023.
Updated routings: Existing and future New Zealand to Melbourne cargo (including transhipment to Southern Star) will be transhipped at Port Chalmers connecting to Polaris service. Existing and future export cargo from Melbourne will be offered via Greater Australia Connect or Dragon service.
Source: Maersk