The service will depart from Sydney and make Auckland its first port of call.

Gold Star Line, a Hong Kong-based company, has begun its new dedicated transTasman shipping service with a direct Sydney-Auckland link.

The service will depart from Sydney and make Auckland its first port of call in just three days, before continuing to New Plymouth, Timaru and Melbourne.

The company will deploy two new vessels, New Zealand Star and Australia Star, on long-term charter on the Tasman route. Each vessel provides 1,100 TEU capacity and 230 reefer plugs.

With several shipping companies now offering a direct Sydney-Auckland service, importers have every opportunity to access their goods in the shortest possible time.