The first log trains are now running between Wairoa and Napier following a $6.2 million Provincial Growth Fund investment.
The line was mothballed in 2012 following severe storm damage and was officially re-opened again last year.
KiwiRail has also established a road-rail log yard in Wairoa and has contracted port logistics company ISO Ltd to help run it.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says the trains will play a big part in boosting the forestry sector in Hawke’s Bay.
“New Zealand is an export-led economy so the ability to get our goods to port efficiently and safely is crucial.
“That’s why the coalition government is focused on an inter-modal approach to transport that makes the best use of trucks and trains,” Jones says.
Export log volumes in the region are predicted to reach 3.3 million tonnes per annum in the next few years and remain at high levels until the mid-2030s. Forestry harvests across New Zealand are currently at around 36 million tonnes per year.
Trains will begin running from Wairoa on Saturdays and Sundays, carrying 1400 tonnes of logs each weekend, with more train services expected as harvests increase.
It is expected this will remove 5000 truck journeys between Wairoa and Napier a year.
“If we are to avoid more logging trucks on the region’s roads, keep congestion under control and lower our transport emissions, rail is a necessity,” Jones says.
KiwiRail has employed two additional train staff and three track staff to support the new log trains and maintain the line.
KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle says the service is expected to grow as log export demand increases.
“Growing this business will assist local businesses to harvest and transport large volumes of logs, help bring profitability to KiwiRail, benefit the East Cape region with less congestion and road wear and tear, and bring added benefits from lower emissions.
“We welcome the involvement of ISO Ltd at Wairoa as the log marshaller for KiwiRail.
“That allows logs to be scaled for export off port and that improves efficiency for delivery onto port,” Moyle says.
Napier Port commercial general manager David Kriel says he is looking forward to seeing trains pull in to Napier Port.
“KiwiRail has put in a lot of work behind the scenes to get the line running commercially, and it’s fantastic to see that work coming to fruition.
“It’s great to be able to assist in offering our Wairoa customers a safe, direct, and sustainable alternative to trucking logs via State Highway 2, and it will really help to unlock the economic potential of the Wairoa region.”
Forest Management (NZ) joint chief executive Steve Bell says “using rail to shift logs from Wairoa to Napier Port builds resilience into our operation”.
“It gives us more options, and that is vital as the harvest increases and more logs are harvested.
“Using the hub at Wairoa means we can turn our trucks round in less than half the time, and that means we can shift more logs quickly and efficiently,” Bell says.
