Napier Port’s half-year trade volume data shows an increase in container traffic across its wharves against a drop in bulk cargo and log exports.
Total container volumes rose 7.5% to 135,000 TEU for the six months to March 31 from 126,000 TEU in the same period the previous year.
Containerised exports were in-line with the prior half-year. Import containers rose by 6,000 TEU (9.3%) to 69,000 TEU due to the earlier import repositioning of empty containers into the region.
Containerised export volumes in the period saw increased pulp and timber products, a later start for the apple export season, and lower canned food and other food and beverage exports.
Container vessel calls fell to 147 ships from 151 ships in the same period last year. Missed calls, due to COVID-19 related shipping service disruptions, accounted for the decline.
Bulk cargo total volume of 1.6 million tonnes was 7.3% below the same half-year period the year prior. Log export volumes were down 5% as the main export market of China was affected by COVID-19 disruptions and high inventory levels. The log export decline, relative to the prior year, arose late in the first half-year period.
Charter vessel calls were 153 compared to 167 in the same half-year period a year ago. Bulk imports were lower than the same period a year ago due to lower fertiliser volumes, which was in line with expectations.
Cruise vessel calls in the half-year period rose by 10 to 76. However, visits were less than the 87 vessels booked to visit in the 2020 season. The reduction was due to the cancellation of seven calls due to the pandemic, and four due to unfavourable weather.
Chief executive Todd Dawson says for most of the first half of the 2020 financial year, the port “has continued to benefit from the strong export trades from Hawke’s Bay and the wider region”.
“However, as we signalled at the end of March, several key trades including logs, wood pulp and timber, are being disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Due to the COVID-19 situation, we are expecting trade volumes in the second half of the current year to be lower, although the extent of the reduction remains uncertain.
“As an essential service provider in Hawke’s Bay, we are focused on ensuring we play our role in minimising the impact of the pandemic on the region and the wider economy by ensuring the flow of essential cargo across our wharves. We expect to provide a further update in late May when we release our half-year financial results,” Dawson says.
