Chatham Islands Shipping
A reliable shipping link for the Chatham and Pitt Islands. Through our joint venture 44 South Shipping, we have been selected by the New Zealand Government to design, build and manage the replacement for the MV Southern Tiare.
McCallum Bros Limited and Nova Marine Carriers SA are working to give the islands an efficient, reliable service for the next 20-plus years. While the new ship is built, our converted landing craft William Fraser is carrying livestock and general cargo. The service launched in 2026 with 597 cattle shipped to Napier.
William Fraser
Cargo capacity
Est. vessel completion
Years of service
Family run since 1904, now serving the Chatham Islands.
A new vessel for the islands
Replacement for the MV Southern Tiare, in service no later than March 2028
Being built in China by Anhui Port & Shipping Sealand Equipment Co., with naval architects SDARI. A purpose-built, multipurpose ship designed to carry livestock, general freight and fuel, built to international shipbuilding and animal welfare standards.
Design work is complete and the main machinery is on order. Completion is estimated for the end of 2027.
A first look at the new vessel.
These 3D renders show the multipurpose ship being built for the Chatham and Pitt Islands service. She has a large open cargo deck served by her own deck crane, with the bridge and accommodation forward, and is designed to carry livestock, general freight and fuel.
Artist’s impressions. Final design may vary.
MV William Fraser
Our 68m landing craft has been converted into a livestock carrier that can also carry general cargo. She supports Pitt Island farmers in moving stock to the mainland, adds resilience to the islands’ supply chain, and will become the dedicated back-up vessel once the new ship enters service.
- Pitt Island
- Waitangi
- Napier
- Auckland
About the William Fraser.
A 68m New Zealand-flagged landing craft, built in Malaysia in 2019. With a 16m beam and an 8m wide roll-on roll-off bow ramp, she can load and unload directly at wharves and beaches, which makes her well suited to the islands. She carries her own 30 tonne excavator/crane for handling freight.
For livestock voyages she has been fitted with aluminium stock pens, agricultural matting, a shelter canopy against salt spray and accommodation for a dedicated stockperson, with 3m high side walls giving extra protection from wind and spray at sea.
- Length
- 68m
- Beam
- 16m
- Built
- 2019, Malaysia
- Flag
- New Zealand
- Max cargo
- 2,000 tonnes
- Containers
- 56 TEU
- Cargo deck
- 430m² (43m x 10m)
- Bow ramp
- 8m wide, ro-ro
- Speed
- 10 knots
- On board
- 30T excavator/crane
Shipping schedule & bookings.
View upcoming sailings and book livestock or general freight online. For help with a booking, email bookings@mccallumbros.co.nz.
Community updates.
We share regular updates with the Chatham and Pitt Islands community as the project reaches key milestones. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, let us know.
Community Update 3
Steel cutting underway, class approval of initial drawings, first William Fraser livestock voyages completed and November and December 2026 sailing dates.
Read PDF 4 August 2026Community Update 2
New vessel ventilation design and tank testing complete, William Fraser conversion progress, pricing, digital booking system and the August island visit.
Read PDF 27 April 2026Community Update 1
Shipbuilding contract signed, design underway, expected delivery timeframes and the William Fraser livestock conversion.
Read PDFLatest news on LinkedIn.
For the latest updates on the new vessel, sailings and what’s happening across McCallum Bros, follow our LinkedIn page.
Join the team.
We’re a family business that’s been running since 1904, with roles across our vessels, quarries, transport and office. See our current vacancies and find out what it’s like to work with us.