Ports of Auckland says the volume of cars across the wharves increased 17.4% to 243,801 units from 207,591 in the previous financial year.
But it warns that there will be slower growth in future car volumes.
“Multi-Cargo volumes have held up well, with car volumes increasing 17.4% to a record 243,801 units. Total breakbulk tonnage (including cars) was up 4.4% on the year before,” says Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson.
“Prospects for the coming year seem subdued, as a result of lower dairy prices and a fall in the New Zealand dollar. We are expecting a softening in some import trades, slower growth in car volumes and a decline in bulk exports,” he says.
Gibson announced the 2014/2015 financial year annual report today for the council-owned company.
It reports container volumes up 0.4% to 972,434 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) from 968,741 TEU last financial year. Volumes were expected to decline as a result of the loss of a major service.
It is also developing a North Island supply chain network to support future growth.
The port company is also investigating possible automation at the container terminal to improve capacity and efficiency.
Total group revenue was $218.3m, down from $221.2m the year before, reflecting the sale of a subsidiary company, Connlinx, part way through the year.
The port company reports underlying profit was $61.4m compared to $63.4m last year, down 3.2%.
It says net profit after tax was $63.2m compared to $74m last year, down 14.6%.
Capital expenditure was $47.9m in 2015, up from $27.4m in 2014.
Ports of Auckland has declared a $41.7 million dividend for Auckland in the 2015 financial year.
“We have made better than expected progress replacing container volumes after Maersk moved a major service away from Auckland early in our financial year,” says Gibson.
“Container volumes finished the year 0.4% up, against expectations that volumes might fall,” he says.
“We are investing in a North Island supply chain network, with new freight hubs in the Manawatu and Bay of Plenty, and an expansion of our existing freight hub in South Auckland.”
“By growing export volumes through the port we will balance the volumes of imports being driven by Auckland’s strong growth and achieve greater supply chain efficiencies.
“Rail services increased from 8 per week to 21, and rail volumes are up to over 100,000 TEU a year. The total number of containers (TEU) moved by truck fell by 53,508.
