Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms have applied for Commerce Commission approval to introduce a joint shipping plan.
The two have formed a company called Kotahi Logistics to manage the movement of containers to and from ports.
It's designed to meet shipping demands and stop empty containers from moving around the supply chain.
If the application is successful, Kotahi Logistics would initially be for the two companies only, with other importers and exporters invited to become partners and customers later.
The application is yet to be issued to the public.
Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms are two of the country's biggest exporters.
