called into Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton and Timaru with roll on-roll off and container freight. "We ceased operating after a year due to losses, which was a shame because it was a really good concept," says Doug. Transport Logistics Ltd, his next company, has been in operation around the New Zealand coast since 1997. They were the first in New Zealand to market the international shipping companies, starting with the three ro-ro ships the Union Company operated at that time. It principally involved moving machinery and containers around the coast. The company has continued to grow and now has shipping arrangements with eight international container and ro-ro shipping lines.
Coastal Bulk Shipping grew out of
Transport Logistics. Having acquired knowledge of the New Zealand freight industry, there appeared to be a shortfall in the ability to move bulk products by sea around New Zealand.
and Greymouth, and have had to establish our own procedures to operate out of these ports, which no longer have pilots and have limited facilities."
Another problem facing Coastal Bulk Shipping is New Zealand's wharves. "They are designed for large ships and most are too big for vessels like the Anatoki."
Doug enjoys the challenges of finding freight for the Anatoki and keeping her busy. Her cargoes include gravel from Greymouth to Onehunga, fertiliser from Marsden Port to Bluff and wheat from Timaru to Auckland.
The MV
Anatoki was purchased in Japan in 2007 and started working on the New Zealand coast in April 2008. In 2010 she moved over 40,000 tonnes of bulk cargo. "We are keen to take the freight off the roads and load and unload as close to the source as possible." says Doug. "In order to assist this we have utilised the old ports such as Wanganui
Doug Smith
Doug talks to his crew at least once a day as he follows the ship around the coast. The AIS system shows her location, speed and the weather. "They are family as such, out there working for me, so I take it to heart. I'd be devastated if anything happened. The Anatoki is only a baby when she's out there - my little baby!"
From planning to the end of the task, Doug's police training (objective, method
and execution) has shown all things are possible. "You ask yourself, 'What are you trying to achieve and what is the outcome?' "We have to get it to work and will find the reasons to make it work with commitment and focus. If you want to do it you can!"
November/December 2011 Professional Skipper 41
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