In order to enhance the schedule reliability of their services in Oceania, Maersk has announced two changes to their Oceania service Network - introduction of a new service and changes to their existing service.
A brand new, dedicated Trans-Tasman service named The Polaris, connecting Brisbane with the New Zealand ports of Timaru and Lyttelton has been announced. It will be an improved and simplified service rotation of the Sirius Star service to improve reliability and enable stable connections between New Zealand outports and their mainliner network.
The dedicated service between Brisbane and New Zealand will be launched, starting with MAERSK NANSHA, with the Timaru port call on the 11th of January 2022. It is poised to offer customers improved cargo connections within Oceania.
Port Rotation for The Polaris: Brisbane - Timaru - Lyttelton - Brisbane
| Port | Arrival | Departure | Days |
| Brisbane | Wednesday | Thursday | 0 |
| Timaru* | Tuesday | Wednesday | 6 |
| Lyttelton | Thursday | Friday | 8 |
| Brisbane | Wednesday | Thursday | 14 |
The other major change is to the port coverage on the Sirius Star service with a view to improve schedule reliability.
Starting with SEASPAN HANNOVER / 145W voyage, departing Fiji on 2nd of January 2022, the rotation of the Sirius Star will be adjusted to following:
Renewed Port Rotation for Sirius Star: Suva - Lautoka - Tauranga - Auckland - Nelson - Timaru - Lyttelton - Tauranga
The new proforma rotation will be effective 2 January, 2022.
| Port | Arrival | Departure | Days |
| Suva | Saturday | Sunday | 0 |
| Lautoka | Sunday | Tuesday | 2 |
| Tauranga | Friday | Saturday | 6 |
| Auckland | Sunday | Monday | 8 |
| Nelson | Friday | Saturday | 13 |
| Timaru | Tuesday | Wednesday | 17 |
| Lyttelton | Thursday | Friday | 19 |
| Tauranga | Monday | Tuesday | 23 |
| Suva | Saturday | Sunday | 28 |