In New Zealand, Famous Pacific Shipping, the fast expanding Asia-based NVOCC and freight services supplier, is advancing the development of its airfreight forwarding strategy with the launch of the FPS Air brand and the appointment of Akanesi Ofahengaue as manager of FPS NZ's airfreight division.

Akanesi is a graduate of the University of Auckland and joins FPS NZ from Air New Zealand Cargo where she initiated a number of strategies to drive revenue streams and market growth for airfreight exports. At Air NZ, she managed a large portfolio of freight forwarding customers and brings to FPS excellent knowledge of the airfreight forwarding market.

Commenting on the move to FPS Air, Akanesi Ofahengaue said: 'I thoroughly enjoyed my career at Air New Zealand Cargo, where I worked with some great people, but it was time for a new challenge. The airfreight market is fiercely competitive and as well as being excited about the launch of FPS Air, I am looking forward to the challenge of developing the airfreight activities of Famous Pacific Shipping in New Zealand.'

Commenting on Akanesi's appointment and the development of FPS Air, Marcus Goldsworthy, Managing Director of FPS New Zealand said: 'Whilst the FPS Group internationally is better known as an NVOCC and seafreight forwarder, we are making great strides in certain markets to build on our airfreight activities. New Zealand is one such market where we believe that we can achieve significant growth in the volumes of airfreight that we carry.

'In the last two years, we have launched new services, expanded our coverage of the Pacific Islands, relocated our headquarters to a new, purpose built office and warehouse facility at Auckland International airport and opened a new branch office in Christchurch. Akanesi's appointment and our launch of the FPS Air brand is a clear sign of our ongoing intentions to enhance our presence in the New Zealand marketplace.

'Through FPS Air, we will be able to build on the successes that we have achieved in the provision of ocean freight forwarding and NVOCC services.'

FPS NZ is IATA accredited. Based in Auckland, the company also has offices in Christchurch and in the Fiji Islands ports of Suva and Lautoka.

The company is an affiliate of the Famous Pacific Shipping Group, an international freight network, comprising over 43 individual companies, from 22 different nations worldwide, operating under the FPS banner. The FPS Group specializes in ocean and airfreight forwarding, supported by overland operations, warehousing and supply chain management services.