Dec 21, 2017  -   The continual stream of reports discussing the future of the Port of Auckland continue to highlight the value of the port to the city and to the wider economy, says EMA’s CEO Kim Campbell.  "If anything, the current stream of reports show that we don’t need more reports," says Mr Campbell.

"What we need is a plan and that was outlined in the Port Future Study that was finally adopted by Council a couple of months ago.

"The Auckland Council’s continual asking for more reports because they don’t like the answer is not the solution; but it is a waste of money.

"For example, there have been two reports that found the right thing to do to accommodate the large cruise ships that we want in Auckland was the proposed dolphin structure with a fixed walkway.

"The first report was completed by the Port, but Council didn’t like the answer so commissioned an independent report from the Auckland Harbourmaster - same result and a waste of time and resources.  "Just build the thing.

"Now we’ve got the anti-port groups complaining that there are two different reports placing different values on the worth of the cruise ships to Auckland. It doesn’t matter. The reports use different methodology, so come up with different answers. But both reports show the gains for the city are significant."

Mr Campbell said another report obtained under the Official Information Act by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) , also highlighted the value of the car industry to the Auckland Port and the cost of shifting it elsewhere.

"Do we really want Auckland to give away some or all of the 10,000 jobs highlighted in the report? Does Tauranga or Northland want to, or have the money to invest almost $200 million to take over the trade? And why did RNZ have to resort to the OIA to get the report out of Council?"

Mr Campbell pointed to the Port of Auckland’s recently-released plan to guide its investment for the next 30 years as the answer.

"The Board and the management of the Port of Auckland accept that a move will occur in the next 20-30 years but until a suitable alternative is found, funded and consented the Port must continue to operate as a key component of Auckland and New Zealand’s import and export infrastructure.

"The Port has a plan to put most of the cars in a multi-storey car park fronted by a concept for an outstanding legacy building. It has a plan to add just 13 metres to an existing wharf to accommodate the general cargo issues it currently faces and when that’s combined with the proposed dolphin structure, the cruise ships are also managed.

"And while we are getting on with that, can the Council and the Government please just get on and agree the solution for the America’s Cup bases, before that boat sails out of the harbour," Mr Campbell says.

| An EMA release  || December 21, 2017   |||

Dec 12, 2017  -  A record 4.754 million tonnes of cargo crossed the port’s wharves in the year to 30 September, up from 3.916 million tonnes in 2016. Container volumes grew 12% to a record 288,444 TEU. Log exports also hit a new high, with 1.63 million tonnes exported through Napier – a 35% increase on last year’s record. Napier Port has released its annual results for the 2017 financial year, reporting record cargo volumes and a strong financial result.

“It’s been an historic year for Napier Port,” said Chief Executive Garth Cowie. “We faced a major challenge in the wake of the Kaikoura earthquake, and I’m proud of the way our people stepped up.

Napier Port saw a significant and unexpected spike in cargo following the quake on 14 November 2016, as containers were rerouted to Napier.

“Essentially, we saw six years’ forecast growth in one year. The release of our annual results is a chance to reflect on the magnitude of that feat. Absorbing that level of unexpected growth without compromising safety or service is a big task, but our people took it in their stride. It’s a real testament to the calibre of our people and our culture.”

It’s not the only major feat for the port this year. The Ovation of the Seas’ maiden call on January 5th saw the giant liner break the record for the largest ship ever to berth at Napier Port.

“We’ve had a fantastic cruise season, and the Ovation’s call was undoubtedly the highlight. It really showed what we’re capable of achieving, and it was great to have such strong support from our tourism partners and our local community.”

More than 125,000 passengers and crew visited Napier over the 2016-2017 season, bringing around $20 million into the local economy. Those numbers are set to grow, with around 150,000 passengers and crew expected this season.

The port’s onsite packing facility, Port Pack, also continued its growth trend this year, with 48,310 TEU containers handled over the course of the year.

“Port Pack now accounts for nearly a third of Napier Port’s containerised full export throughput, and has grown into one of the biggest packing facilities in New Zealand.”

Napier Port delivered an exceptional financial result, reporting a record $16.7 million net profit after tax, up 46% on last year, while delivering $10.7 million in dividends to its sole shareholder, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company. It invested $18.7 million in capital projects and equipment, including land holdings in Pandora and Whakatu and specialist studies to support its application for resource consent to build a new wharf.

The resource consent application for its proposed 6 Berth Development and Dredging Project was submitted to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council yesterday, and is a crucial element in Napier Port’s future strategy.

“Hawke’s Bay’s economy is in growth mode, and we’re forecast to see cargo volumes nearly double over the next decade, while ship size is also forecast to grow. Having a sixth wharf in place will strengthen our connection to global markets and ensure Hawke’s Bay can continue to thrive and maintain its enduring relevance.”  View the full report here.

With export demand climbing steadily, Napier Port is currently planning to develop a new wharf to accommodate larger ships and cargo demand. For more information on the proposed development, see http://projects.napierport.co.nz/the-project

| A Napier Port release  ||  December 12, 2017   |||

Dec 11, 2017  _  After two-years of pre-consultation Napier Port is expecting to next week formally apply for permission to build a new $125 million berth wrote Tony Ashton in Saturdays Hawkes Bay Today..  The new berth, if consented would take about 18-months to two years to build.  The $125m development would allow larger cruise vessels as well as larger container ships.

"There is a physical maximum inside the basin that we can deal with. So this being on the outside does give us a little more flexibility", Napier Port chief executive Garth Cowie said.  "With the growth in larger container vessels likely to come and we have seen an uplift in vessels coming to Napier anyway, if the volume goes up, you either need more vessels or larger vessels. We are seeing it's predominately larger vessels, and that's going to need a step-change to handle vessels over 300 metres. That will need a berth just outside our current area."

Mr Cowie said the $125m investment was "really important" for the port's future.

Speaking at the Napier Port end of year breakfast today Mr Cowie said this year had seen the port record its highest ever volume levels, record profit and record revenue.

"Revenue rose to $86.7m - up from about $70m last so, year so a significant rise in revenue. Our after tax profit was $16.7m. Again, that's a 46 percent increase, part of that was paid to our shareholder.

"The 288,444 TEU was a record, up from 257,000 TEU last year. Again a lot of that is based out of region. Overall 12 percent growth has been a really great year.

"The Wall of Wood is certainly upon us - 1.6 million tonnes of logs during the year, up from 1.2 million. So over a 400,000 tonnage of growth. Again, that's huge and we're budgeting somewhere between 1.8m and 1.9m this coming year."

Mr Cowie said for this year the port was already 100,00 tonnes ahead of where it was at the same time last year.

"November was a record month for us with 218,000 tonnes. So if you extrapolate that out over a 12-month period, that's about 2.6m tonnes."

Mr Cowie, who leaves his post at the end of this month said he was happy to leave the port in great shape, adding that the last 18 and a half years at port chief executive had been an "absolute blast".

"Obviously it's in a great phase and that obviously sets the tone for a lot of the things the port's looking at."

"Bigger vessels are trickling down to New Zealand and we see those vessels coming to Napier in the long-term,because of the value of the cargo and certainly, we're very strong as a refrigerated container port. That bodes well in terms of why those bigger vessels are likely to call at Napier."

Napier Port Chairman Alasdair MacLeod said it had been a "momentous" year and praised Mr Cowie's dedication and inspirational leadership.

"He's led the port through 18 years of successive growth in revenue, growth and profit and I don't know another chief executive in New Zealand who can claim that - it's an absolutely amazing achievement."

Napier Port is owned by the Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Company, on behalf of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said teh whole region benefited from the port.

"Central Hawke's bay is driven by agriculture, which is an export economy, so teh role of Napier Port is absolutely crucial for the value chain of our local economy. We also have to think about teh port's future in that regard and secure the port's future."

| A Hawkes Bay Today release  ||  December 9, 2017   |||

Nov 30, 2017  -  Fuel is flowing to and from Port Taranaki’s refurbished storage and distribution terminal near New Plymouth.   Lessee BP New Zealand has started operation at the former Chevron tank farm on Centennial Drive, with the first diesel passing through the terminal earlier this month. Petrol is expected to be on-stream early in 2018.

Port Taranaki bought the facility in 2015 and entered into an operational agreement with BP New Zealand to enable larger parcels of petrol and diesel to be shipped in, stored and distributed throughout the region, reducing costs and the number of road tankers coming into Taranaki to deliver fuel.

More than 100 million litres of fuel is expected to pass through the terminal annually.

“The facility needed extensive refurbishment ahead of lessee BP taking responsibility for its operation,” Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said.

“This work began in August last year and has included a new truck-loading gantry, a new control system, new tank-gauging systems and the replacement of pumps and valves.”

Port Taranaki has also brought the associated pipeline to the Newton King Tanker Terminal and a loading arm on the terminal back into use to support the project.

Mr Roper said the work had gone well and he was delighted the facility was now operational.

“We saw the purchase and refurbishment of the site as an opportunity to secure an important piece of infrastructure for the region and develop long-term commercial opportunities for our business. It will have the twin benefits of fuelling Taranaki’s businesses, farms and communities, and reducing the number of fuel trucks on our roads, with large amounts of fuel coming into the region by ship rather than by road tanker,” he said.

“A facility of this nature demands high operating standards and the health and safety of staff and contractors is a priority. With new Major Hazard Facility regulations in place following the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, the work required a lot of collaboration from the many parties involved.

“Throughout the process we’ve had a great relationship with BP New Zealand and thank them for their support and knowledge as we have worked to make the terminal operational,” Mr Roper said.

BP general manager marketing supply, Courtney Ireland, echoed Mr Roper’s statements.

“Safety is a No 1 priority for BP, so it was very important to us that the terminal was converted in adherence with the new Major Hazard Facility regulations.

“Terminals are an extremely important part of BP’s strategy, and enable us to effectively support the needs of our customers across the country. BP is pleased and proud to be in a partnership with Port Taranaki that allows us to support ongoing growth in the Taranaki region,” Mr Ireland said.

| A portTaranki release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 24, 2017  -  Northport Ltd is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Cargo volumes at Marsden Point have more than doubled since the port opened in 2002 to a record 3.64 million tonnes last financial year. Ship calls have increased from 93 a year to 250 a year over that period, with berth occupancy now at a record 66.4 percent, up from 52.9 percent just five years ago.

The company, a 50/50 joint venture between Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd and Port of Tauranga, is marking these milestones by launching a public discussion about the potential future size and shape of the port.

It has published its ‘vision for growth’ online at www.vision4growth.co.nz and is inviting people to ask questions or make their views known to its management team via the website.  Chief executive Jon Moore stressed that the vision was not a confirmed plan, or even a formal proposal. No decision has yet been made by Northport’s Board to grow the port.

“It’s a conversation-starter; a vision based on what we believe is possible here,” he said. “At this early stage all we’re doing is prompting a discussion among tangata whenua, other Northlanders, our neighbours, customers, port users, suppliers and other stakeholder groups with an interest in what happens here, about what role they see Northport playing in the future of our region.”

Mr Moore said that in recent years, and particularly in the run-up to the recent general election, there had been much discussion about what should happen at Northport. Although Northport Ltd had no firm growth plans at this stage, its management team wanted to make public their vision for future growth.

“Some of the most frustrating narrative we’ve listened to over recent months has been around the perception that it’s not possible to grow Northport beyond its existing size,” Mr Moore said. “Our vision for growth demonstrates clearly that this is not the case. It introduces some reality to the discussion and shows that we are, in fact, well positioned to support economic growth both in Northland and in Auckland.”

Mr Moore said Northport would need to grow if it was going to play a key role in the future growth of the upper North Island. “Importantly, we don’t need to expand northwards into the harbour. Instead, we can extend our existing linear wharf east and west,” he said.

Northport Ltd’s vision for growth at Marsden Point includes 1,390m of linear berth, more than twice its current length, and involves growing its overall footprint from 48ha to 75ha.  Mr Moore said his team felt this was necessary if Northport was to play a meaningful role in developing Northland's economy and supporting Auckland's growth.

“Growing a port is an expensive and complex undertaking. To support economic growth and meet the forecast demand for shipping across the upper North Island we need to plan and build for the future, not just today.”

The vision Northport Ltd is making public today is based on many years of research, technical planning and engineering input from a raft of experts in this field. The company now has a good idea about what is physically and technically possible at Northport, and what isn’t.

It has not put any dates to its decision-making process around possible growth.

“We know full well that what we look like in the future will be shaped to some extent by our communities and our customers,” Mr Moore said. “So first we want to hear from these groups about what role they see us playing in Northland’s and the upper North Island’s growth.”

This initial discussion period will be followed by further technical and environmental studies and modelling, and if there are no surprises the company will then embark on a detailed stakeholder consultation exercise.

About NorthportNorthport, situated at Marsden Point at the mouth of Whangarei Harbour, is New Zealand’s northernmost port. It is a flexible facility catering for large, multi-purpose vessels and full cargo handling facilities are available from its 570 metre linear berth.

Logs, woodchip and processed timber for export comprise the bulk of cargo processed by the port. Other export items include kiwifruit, dairy products and manufactured goods. Imports are an important part of Northport’s business and include fertiliser, gypsum, coal and palm kernel. Northport has full container handling capability, including a mobile harbour crane. Containers are being imported and exported, as well as shipped around the coast.

A weekly coastal container service links Northport with other ports around the country.

The company has published its ‘vision for growth’ online at www.vision4growth.co.nz and is inviting people to ask questions or make their views known to its management team via the website.

The port is owned and operated by Northport Ltd, itself owned jointly and equally by Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd and the Port of Tauranga Ltd.

| A Northport release  ||  November 24,  2017   |||

15 Nov 2017  -  A report produced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the country’s stevedores has suggested that Port Botany has overtaken the Port of Melbourne for container trade due to constraints at the Victorian port, as first reported by The Age.  In 2016/17, Port Botany handled 34 per cent of Australia’s container movements, with 33 per cent going through the Port of Melbourne – down from 36 per cent in 2015/16.

While the report did not directly link the Port of Melbourne’s reduced volume to the increasing size of container ships, it noted that it is the most likely port to put limits on the size of ships visiting the country.

The Age noted that the biggest ship to visit Australia, the 347-metre Susan Maersk that docked at the Port of Brisbane in October, would have been unable to travel up the mouth of the Yarra River to Swanson Dock, and its 10,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) load may or may not have managed to fit underneath the West Gate Bridge.

In a recent newsletter, industry body Shipping Australia wrote that with only one terminal able to take the larger ships – Webb Dock, with Swanson Dock out of reach – “Melbourne is already the limiting factor for the size of ships coming to Australia’s east coast ports and is preventing Australians benefiting from the efficiencies of larger ship operations.”

“The risk is that shipping lines may consider by-passing Melbourne for Adelaide or Sydney and use rail, or a smaller ship feeder service (possibly from New Zealand) to make the connection,” it added.

“This would ultimately cost the Victorian consumer, the Port of Melbourne and the state economy.”

| A L&MH release  ||  November 15,  2017  13:15   |||

14 Nov 2017  -  Port Taranaki is withdrawing from the container sector, including closing its container transfer site. Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said changes to the New Zealand supply chain had prompted the decision, particularly the introduction of larger international container vessels, the development of inland ports for the containerisation of products, and the increased use of rail transport linking regions to ports with international departures. With coastal shipping impacted by these changes, there was now reduced incentive for shipping lines to call at Port Taranaki.

“We have not had a full container service at Port Taranaki for three years – the last container ship to call was in October 2014,” Mr Roper said. “Since then we have worked hard with potential customers and shipping lines to make it viable to call at the port.

“However, container services rely on scale and throughput, and with the changes to the national supply chain, we have been unable to secure sufficient trade to attract shipping lines. As a result we will no longer seek to recommence a container shipping service.”

Mr Roper said the decision would result in the closure of the container transfer site.

“As a service to Taranaki companies, through an arrangement with shipping lines we have maintained a container transfer site, making containers available to local importers and exporters,” Mr Roper said. “However, with Port Taranaki’s decision to withdraw fully from the container sector, the container transfer site will close.”

Mr Roper said the port was in consultation with two staff who would potentially be affected by the closure of the container transfer operation.

The site is expected to close at the end of January. From 1 December the site will operate from 7am to 3pm weekdays.

In addition, Port Taranaki has closed the cold store on the Blyde Wharf, which stored chilled and frozen products for the dairy and poultry industries. The closure, which was effective from 1 November, resulted in the loss of one position at Port Taranaki.

“Because of the halt in container trade in the past three years, the cold store has been under-utilised, which is why we decided to close it,” Mr Roper said.

The decision to withdraw from the container business has been made following a strategic review of the container sector by the Port Taranaki Board.

Board chairman Peter Dryden said the changes occurring within the New Zealand supply chain and the need to operate a sustainable and successful business for the benefit of the Taranaki community, had brought about the review and subsequent decision.

“After examining our position in the container sector and what we believe are permanent changes to the New Zealand supply chain, investing in future capability to be competitive, such as machinery and systems, was not viable,” Mr Dryden said.

“Port Taranaki will now focus on growth in other areas of the business, such as our burgeoning log business, as well as concentrating on our core business of bulk liquids, bulk dry products and support of the offshore oil and gas sector,” he said.

Mr Dryden said the port would retain its mobile harbour cranes in support of other work, including Port Taranaki’s offshore business.

“We will be working with local logistics providers to ensure continuity for Taranaki importers and exporters,” he said.

| A Port Taranaki release  ||  November 9,  2017   |||

14 Nov 2017  - Port Taranaki is proud to be working with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) to host an open day on the HMNZS Endeavour this Sunday (19 November).  The public open day would undoubtedly be a highlight of the Endeavour’s final visit to her home port, Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said.

“Port Taranaki has had a long association with the Royal New Zealand Navy and Endeavour, and we are proud to be part of these very special celebrations in the lead-up to the ship’s decommissioning in December,” Mr Roper said.

“While it is sad this will be the last time Endeavour will berth at Port Taranaki, it is also a time to celebrate the unique bond our region has with the Navy and this ship in particular.

“We look forward to our continued close association with the Navy through its decision to make Port Taranaki the home of the newest member of its fleet, HMNZS Aotearoa.”

HMNZS Aotearoa, which will be the largest and most high-tech ship the RNZN has operated, will be in service from 2020.

Public tours of the upper decks of the HMNZS Endeavour will take place between 10am and 4pm on Sunday. Shuttles will take groups from Port Taranaki’s ‘East Gate’, on Ocean View Parade adjacent to the New Plymouth Yacht Club and Ngamotu Beach, to the Endeavour and return, the last shuttle will depart from the East Gate at 3:30pm.

Visitors to the ship will need to wear sensible, covered footwear. If needing assistance due to limited mobility, please let staff on the gate know.

Moturoa School will be on-hand with a fundraising sausage sizzle and the RNZN will have souvenirs available, recognising the decommissioning of the vessel.

| A port Taranaki release  ||  November 14,  2017   |||

NZ: Hawke's Bay's Napier port considers new levy on pipfruit - A FreshPlaza release:

Following increased fees, a new insurance levy has reportedly tipped local port users - across the horticultural sector, exporters, and transport companies - over the edge.

Port CEO Garth Cowie said one of the fees being considered by the port was for the pipfruit sector. The port sought feedback from the pipfruit sector on the concept of a peak season reefer surcharge.

"The apple industry is growing and Napier Port's infrastructure has to keep pace in order to support our growers and provide the level of service they need," he said, adding this came at a cost.

Over the past five years the port had invested more than $95m in infrastructure.

"We have done everything we can to keep this proposed fee to a minimum while still ensuring the pipfruit industry has the infrastructure they need for the peak export season."

The number of apple exports through the port has increased from about 12,936 containers in 2008 to a record 22,205 20ft containers of apples last year.

| A FreshPlaza release  ||  October 2,  2017

The New Zealand Shippers Council is concerned that the recent announcement by Port Napier that it will impose an insurance levy charge on transport operators is the thin end of the wedge for the countrys exporters and importers. The levy came into effect on October 1 and will be passed onto exporters and importers effectively through the back door as added cost in the supply chain.

 Chairman of the NZ Shippers Council, Mike Knowles said it is an alarming precedent.

“What we’re seeing is a levy that lands on those who have no contractual relationship with the port and therefore no ability to influence the outcome.”

“In our view ports should either be absorbing those increased costs as part of normal business activity, or negotiating them with their commercial clients – the shipping lines; not imposing them on parties who have no ability to review and negotiate rates,” said Mr Knowles.

Mr Knowles said the Shippers Council appreciates that the dramatic increase in insurance premiums in the wake of the Kaikoura earthquake places considerable pressure on providers of supply chain infrastructure. “However, applying a levy on parties who do not have a commercial relationship with the port is not the way forward. We are extremely concerned that this precedent may be adopted by other ports and will strongly oppose any move in that direction.”

The New Zealand Shippers’ Council represents the supply chain interests of major New Zealand shippers, with members across all sectors including importers, exporters, ports, freight forwarders, road and rail. Collectively members move over 60% of NZ containerised exports and a significant amount of bulk exports, imports and domestic volume.

| A NZ Shipping Council release  ||  October 2,  2017   |||