South Port NZ Limited chief executive, Mark O’Connor is resigning his position and will leave the Bluff Port operation by the end of October.
South Port chair, Rex Chapman commented that the timing of this decision had been signalled to the Board for some years.
Chapman says O’Connor and his team have worked hard to deliver effective freight solutions for Southland-based businesses and the Company is in excellent shape as it continues to focus on this precise objective.
In the most recent financial year, South Port achieved a record cargo and profit, with volumes having lifted by 50% or approximately 1.0 million tonnes since 2009.
Other projects O’Conner has overseen included refocusing the business on the core freight delivery element, ensuring appropriate infrastructure existed to support bulk cargo growth (forestry/agriculture), maintaining container handling capability for the regional Port and establishing an Intermodal Freight Centre (IFC) in Invercargill.
“Approximately four years ago I advised the South Port Board that when I turned 55, I would take a detour in the road and exit the port sector,” says O’Connor.
“That date has come around quicker than I thought but it is appropriate for me to step back from a full-time role and identify other projects which may be of interest,” he says.
“Bluff Port occupies an important position in the supply chain landscape, and it is vital that it continues to facilitate the efficient flow of regional exports and imports,” says O’Connor.
“Decisions made by the Board and Management in recent years have always strived to ensure Southland-based business have freight alternatives and that competitive tension exists in the marketplace,” he says.
“Without these ingredients, regional operations struggle to compete in international markets,” says O’Connor.
“The challenges facing Southland are highlighted in the SoRDS strategy and it is critical that local government pushes forward with the necessary steps to support the action plan linked to this strategy,” he says.
“I have been encouraged by the level of effort contributed by business and other parties to ensure SoRDS succeeds and that Southland remains a healthy and vibrant part of New Zealand,” he says
The Board will commence the process of seeking a replacement for O’Connor immediately.
