Port of Tauranga

Port of Tauranga welcomes shippers' call to make it hub port

Posted on 25th August 2010

Port of Tauranga has welcomed the Shippers' Council recommendation that it should become New Zealand's North Island international hub port.

In its report on New Zealand's international supply chain released today, the Council says Port of Tauranga is the logical choice to be first to make the investment to accommodate the larger 7,000TEU ships that are becoming the trend in international shipping.

"It is time for New Zealand to make some tough decisions on infrastructure investment to ensure that our exporters remain competitive globally," says Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Mark Cairns.

"We congratulate the Shippers' Council on their analysis and recommendations, which gives the sector a robust, objective report on which to base future discussion and investment decision-making about the supply chain."

The Port of Tauranga has superb infrastructure, both road and rail access, a strategic land bank, the best productivity in Australasia, as measured by the Australian Productivity Commission, a strong balance sheet and is located at the heart of the New Zealand export and import belt.

The Company's application to widen and deepen Tauranga harbour's shipping channels is about to be considered by the Environment Court following a recommendation from Environment Bay of Plenty to grant the resource consents. Dredging will allow the port to take vessels of up to 7,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent containers).

Mr Cairns says the Company has sufficient balance sheet capacity to invest in the necessary infrastructure without taking on additional debt. "We have Board approval to commence the first stage of the dredging project as soon as we have resolved the appeals."

Port of Tauranga is already by far the country's largest port by volume. According to Statistics New Zealand, Tauranga handled around 80% more international cargo than its nearest competitor (up from 56% last year) and three times the volume of exports.

 

For further details, contact:
Mark Cairns
Chief Executive
Port of Tauranga Limited
Ph: 07 572 8829

http://www.port-tauranga.co.nz/Media-Room