Port of Tauranga says it’s interested in focusing on more imported vehicles and it has the space needed.
“At the Mount Maunganui wharves, we have storage space available to accommodate growing cargoes, including a secure area for marshalling imported cars,” the company says in its annual report.
Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns told NBR that many vehicle importers would soon be looking for solutions outside of Auckland and his port is ready to meet demand.
The port has already started planning for the next stage of capacity expansion with around 40 hectares of undeveloped, port-zoned land available for operations.
There are options to extend the quay length on both sides of the harbour, using port-owned land south of the existing berths.
“We have implemented the policies, processes and practices we need to deliver superior customer service, economic benefit to our communities and strong returns to our shareholders,” Cairns says.
“We expect cargo growth to continue in the next year across most categories, and particularly containerised cargo,” he says.
Port of Tauranga’s imports increased 8.4% to 9.8 million tonnes for the year to June 30.
The number of cars and other vehicles imported at Port of Tauranga has doubled compared to previous years, the company says.
This would help ease growing volumes of vehicle imports at Ports of Auckland which saw nearly 300,000 units hit the wharves last year.
Ports of Auckland’s 30 year master plan has been given the seal of approval by Auckland Council’s planning committee which includes a car-handling facility on Bledisloe Terminal to alleviate the current shortage of yard space.
But other solutions are also being sought to help ease the growing volumes. Auckland mayor Phil Goff and Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson are currently reviewing a submission by vehicle logistics company PTS Group which would move around 500 cars a day to Highbrook on electric barges.
