Port acts following tsunami warning

As a precaution following the tsunami warning issued by NZ Civil Defence on Wednesday (30 September), Ports of Auckland enacted its emergency response procedures.

To ensure staff and port user safety, operations were temporarily ceased for two short periods.

While the temporary stoppage, caused backlogs for truck processing, these were cleared as quickly as possible.

General Manager Operations and Productivity Grant Jorey said VBS slots were honoured and all straddle carrier resources were allocated to ensure transport carriers were processed promptly once operations resumed.

“We would like to thank all transport carriers for their understanding and co-operation during the tsunami warning, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Double the fun at SeePort

Ports of Auckland is offering Aucklanders a top-notch view of their port aboard double-decker bus tours behind the red fence.

SeePort, Ports of Auckland’s annual open-day event, will run over ten days from Friday 9 October until Sunday 18 October 2009.

“This is a great chance for our community to get behind the red fence and see a close-up view of port operations,” says Managing Director Jens Madsen.

The free, hour-long bus tours will travel around the commercial wharves, giving visitors a rare view of some of the largest and most technologically advanced machines in the country in a safe and secure way.

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To book a tour call 0800 AK PORT (0800 25 7678)

More containers moved on rail

A collaboration between Ports of Auckland, KiwiRail, major transport providers and freight forwarding companies has seen the commencement of container shuttles between the seaport and the industrial heartland of Penrose.

KiwiRail Key Account Executive Wayne Watkin says two return shuttles will run per day, Monday through Friday, each of 12 wagons, giving a capacity of 24 TEU for each shuttle, with this number increasing shortly.

“This helps ease the pressure on Auckland roads and leaves the road operators more time to service their customers. It is a win/win situation for all.”

“All of these containers would otherwise have been moved by trucks, and the new system means that these are moved off the road and on to more environmentally-friendly rail.”

Mr Watkins said that there was a positive response from customers to the idea of switching from road to rail. Initially Tappers Transport and Mainfreight are working with KiwiRail to prove the concept, but in the near future KiwiRail hopes to attract additional customers to the service.

International recognition

Ports of Auckland's 2008 Annual Review has won another prestigious award, this time from Graphis - The International Journal of Visual Communication.

The document, and designers Insight Creative, were awarded a silver medal in Graphis' recently announced 'International 100 Best Annual Reports'.

In June, Ports of Auckland's review was awarded bronze in the 2009 Australian Reporting Awards.

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