Ports of Auckland has announced a net profit after tax of $9.3m for the half year to 31 December 2008, compared to $12.6m for the first half last year.

Managing Director Jens Madsen said an improved performance from the container terminals was very pleasing, as this was the area of the business subject to strong competition.

Container terminal volumes reached a record high of 455,083 TEU (+ 6.4%) for the six months. Container division EBIT was up 8.4% on the six months ended 31 December 2007 and 35.5% on the six months ended 30 June 2008.

“As shipping lines have consolidated operations to reduce cost, Auckland has won bigger services carrying more volume. A 33.5% increase in trans-shipment volumes also reflects shipping lines’ decisions to hub services off Auckland, using regional ports as feeder ports,” said Mr Madsen.

A focus on productivity also paid off, with a 9.4% increase in crane rate and a 15.0% decrease in staff hours per container in December 2008, compared to 2007.

The overall result was, however, significantly impacted by imported vehicle volumes dropping 23.7% to 66,493 units.

Due to the declining economic situation, management had recently introduced a range of measures to curtail costs, including a freeze of executive salaries. Mr Madsen said a full capital structure review was also underway, with the objective to lock in longer-term funding and ensure the Company’s dividend payout policy of 75% of net profit after tax is appropriate. The Ports of Auckland Board decided to defer a decision to pay an interim dividend due to the ongoing review.

Looking forward, Mr Madsen reiterated a bleak outlook for the trading environment in New Zealand and abroad, but was encouraged by the Company’s recent market share gains and ability to reduce cost.

“Our core objectives for the next 12-18 months are to continue to increase productivity, expand our product portfolio, restructure our balance sheet and further improve our positioning in the market.”

Changes to road receival and delivery times and road office coverage at Ports of Auckland’s Bledisloe and Fergusson container terminals will come into effect on Monday 16 March.

General Manager Operations and Productivity Grant Jorey explained that the changes were being made as a result of the softening cargo volumes that are being experienced throughout the shipping industry.

"Like many businesses, we are taking proactive measures to manage our costs in response to the global economic downturn and weakening demand," he said.

Click the link below for further details on these changes and a full list of operating hours. 

Jon Ward has been appointed as Manager Operations Planning and Customer Service.

The new role combines Mr Ward’s current position as Manager Transport and a previously vacant position overseeing the Capacity and Planning team, as part of a strategy to improve efficiency and customer service.

Mr Ward will be responsible for planning, dispatch and control for Ports of Auckland’s two container terminals, including road and rail exchange planning.

Ports of Auckland will welcome five maiden callers to the city over the next two weeks.

The container ship ACX Diamond called the Fergusson container terminal yesterday (12 March). The same day, Darling River visited Freyberg Wharf. The dry bulk ship offloaded 24,000 tonnes of gypsum, the material used to make ‘GIB Board’.

Thomas G Thompson, an oceanic research vessel, will also make its first call to Auckland in a few days, taking a break from the up to 315 days a year it spends at sea.  Meanwhile, the Naval Base will also be host to a research vessel and first time caller HMAS Launceston.

The new 2,700 TEU container vessel Cosco Dammam will arrive to Fergusson container terminal on Wednesday 18 March.

Five car carrying ships will have also arrived to the Port  this week (from 9 March), including the second visit of the Aniara, the world’s largest and most environmentally-friendly car carrying ship.