Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd (CBS) are the operators of the New Zealand registered general cargo ships MV Anatoki (capacity of up to 800 tonnes of cargo) and MV Rangitata (capacity of up to 2,200 tonnes). These vessels move cargoes around the New Zealand coast efficiently and cost effectively.
New Zealand registered company Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd (CBSL) began in 2008 with one vessel and is now the owner and operator of two vessels, the M.V. Anatoki and M.V. Rangitata.
Our owners share the common belief that New Zealand lends itself to coastal shipping however as road and rail have developed, freight gradually moved from the sea until the last bulk ships (other than cement and fuel carriers) largely stopped operating on the New Zealand coast around over twenty years ago.
Demand for road transport has been increasing faster than the growth in the New Zealand population. This has put New Zealand’s roads under increased pressure. It is anticipated that total freight movements on the transport system will more than double by 2040. Our vessels represent a change in New Zealand shipping — the return of the coastal bulk freighter.
A growing population, higher fuel prices and the failure of road and rail infrastructure due to growing demand and natural disasters in recent years, has sparked interest in coastal shipping once again. CBSL has fostered this interest with its small and versatile vessels. These vessels are ideal for moving fertilizer, grain, break bulk and containerised cargoes around the New Zealand coast efficiently and cost effectively.
After more than a decade of operation, the company saw the need to expand to be able to develop identified opportunities and in April 2020, Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd was pleased to announce that the ASP Ships Group acquired a 50% shareholding in the company. In 2024, Asp lifted this shareholding to 99%.
The ASP Ships Group (ASP) is a global specialist marine services provider with a key area of operation being the New Zealand and Australian shipping market. ASP commended operations in New Zealand through wholly their owned subsidiary Silver Fern Shipping Limited in 2007. Silver fern Shipping were originally based in Wellington and operated two MR tankers for Coastal Oil Logistics Ltd. The vessels distributed petroleum products from the NZ Refinery at Marsden Point around the New Zealand coast up until the refinery ceased operations in 2022.
With ASP as a shareholder, Coastal Bulk Shipping will continue to identify and develop cost efficient and environmentally friendly options to move freight around New Zealand through our wholly owned and operated New Zealand flagged and New Zealand crewed vessels.
