Marsden Point-based Northport is supporting the Government’s $3 billion provincial growth fund.
The port company says it “welcomes” plans to invest in roading and infrastructure projects in Northland, and to investigate the viability of a rail link connecting to Auckland.
“We look forward to working with Kiwi Rail, existing and potential customers, and other stakeholders such as local government, to explore the potential and to assess how it might complement the vision we have of how our port might grow in the future,” it says in a statement.
Regional economic development minister Shane Jones officially launched the scheme in Gisborne last week with $61.7 million allocated for the first round of spending.
All regions are eligible for the funding which will be rolled out over three years.
Northland is receiving more than $17m in the first round of funding for several projects including the forestry sector and upgrading the Waipapa intersection on State Highway 10.
A working group has also been established to investigate whether Northport is a suitable replacement for the Ports of Auckland.
“Understanding the drivers of, and uncertainties around, future freight and logistics demand is critical to ensure that New Zealand’s supply chain is fit for purpose in the longer-term”, a Cabinet paper released to Auto Media Group says.
The regional funding announcement was made as NZX-listed Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH), which owns half of Northport, reported a net surplus of $5.3 million in the period to December 31.
Overall cargo through Northport was up 3% to 1.9 million tonnes with log volumes increasing by 2%.
MMH chief executive Graham Wallace says the company’s new boat haul-out and servicing facility which started last October is also helping growth.
The service is “operating well and had generated considerable interest from vessel owners and service providers alike”, Wallace says
