Heavy vehicle imports are among stock being turned around following the detection of brown marmorated stink bugs.
Isuzu general manager Colin Muir says the company had a “significant number” of trucks on two of the ships refused entry into Auckland.
“We’re communicating on a daily basis with dealer network and customers who might be affected,” Muir says.
“It’s a fairly unique situation.”
Muir says the problem could cause months of delays but at this stage it’s “still very much in the dark”.
The company is “fortunate” to have “good levels of stock” that can be relied on for the short-term.
Muir also gives credit to the shipping lines for keeping the company “very well informed” of the ongoing issue.
Hino general manager Michael Doeg says his company has heavy vehicles on all three ships refused entry to Auckland.
“We’re just waiting on information from the shipping companies and what happens with MPI for resolution.
“It’s had an impact on the flow of vehicles without a doubt.”
Doeg says nothing can be done to plan for a delay like this and it’s a situation he’s never encountered before in his experience.
“To cover something like this is an anomaly in the same line as an actual disaster,” he says.
Keeping customers well informed is a priority, he says.
“They understand it’s a situation outside of our control.”
Fuso New Zealand general manager Kurtis Andrews says the company has 36 trucks held up on the bug-affected ships.
“We have stock on the ground, however most of the units are sold.
It’s “a big blow” to Fuso dealers and customers.
The MOL shipping line staff are doing “all they can to rectify the situation and that’s all we can ask for”.
“They have our full support during this unfortunate process,” Andrews says.
