Ports of Auckland has flagged a strategic capital investment programme as part of its half-year results announcement, and it says it aims to use land more efficiently by only undertaking essential activities on the waterfront.
It says freight volumes are expected to continue to rise as Auckland’s economy and population grow.
“The port is making significant investments in rail and the off-port supply chain – at Wiri and Longburn intermodal freight hubs – and we continue to relocate activities off-site which do not need to be at the sea port,” says Ports of Auckland chief executive officer Tony Gibson.
“Our aim is to use our land more efficiently by only undertaking essential activities on the waterfront.”
Fergusson container wharf is being extended to cater for longer ships. A new truck facility has been built to speed up container handling and rail services to the inland port at Wiri have been quadrupled, resulting in 3000 fewer truck movements a month to and from the terminal.
The Multi-Cargo business has grown rapidly, particularly car imports which are up 19% from the previous year and cement imports which will roughly double in 2016.
More freight and longer ships are putting pressure on the berths in this part of the port, so Ports of Auckland will extend two berths on Bledisloe multi-purpose terminal to provide sufficient capacity for future growth. Construction will start in April and be completed by late 2016.
Later this year work will start on a new tug berth to the west of Jellicoe wharf. The existing berth will be vacated which will create the potential to open the area up for public access once it is no longer needed for tugs and freight.
For the half year, container volumes rose 3% against an expectation that volumes would fall as a result of the loss of a significant service and given the impact from congestion at overseas ports.
Freight volumes in all other areas increased, with the largest rise being in imported car units which were up 19%.
An interim dividend of $25.5m will be paid to Auckland Council Investments Limited, for the benefit of ratepayers.
