Major milestone achieved for Wiri Inland Port rail link

The rail exchange at Ports of Auckland’s Wiri Inland Port in South Auckland is a step closer to completion.

Two of three rail siding tracks that will connect the inland port to the Waitemata seaport are in place and work is well under way on the concrete hardstand.

Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen said the project was on schedule for completion in January 2010 and that the first train would arrive early in the New Year.

“By using the Wiri Inland Port as a storage centre and staging post, we’ll also free up room and create efficiencies at the Waitemata seaport. This is good news for the whole supply chain,” Mr Madsen said.

The hardstand from which the containers will be loaded and unloaded is 50% complete. When finished, after 15 major concrete pours, it will be 450 metres long and cover nearly 11,000 square metres, just shy of the overall size of the Britomart Transport Centre station platform.

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Record volumes for POAL

Ports of Auckland has experienced one of the busiest two week periods in its history, handling around 37,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent container units) in a fortnight.

The high volumes come as a result of a special one-off vessel exchange. The Maersk Phuket was taken out of service and replaced by the JPO Scorpius on the OVSA PSW service. This entailed a complete discharge and loading of both of the two ships.

This unusual one off event coincided with record high ship movements. Over the fortnight a new record was reached with 25 ship movements on one day.

“To minimise the downstream effect on trucking customers POAL extended the free period on all imports by a further 48 hours for any vessels affected,” said General Manager Operations and Productivity Grant Jorey.

"We are grateful to our staff for their hard work and commitment. Thank you also to our customers, transport operators and other port users for their patience and cooperation in helping us manage this significant one-off event."

Annual Review

Ports of Auckland has published an Annual Review following its result announcement in September.

The document outlines the company's operational and financial performance for the year ended 30 June 2009.

The port has also released its second Sustainability Review.

The Reviews can be downloaded from the publications page at www.poal.co.nz. To request a hardcopy, please email info@poal.co.nz.

Download the Annual Review
Download the Sustainability Review

A freight strategy and action plan for New Zealand

Ports of Auckland's Chief Risk Officer, Jim Harknett gave a presentation at a New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) meeting this week.

NZBCSD is conducting a study on a freight strategy and action plan for New Zealand.

Mr Harknett said a freight strategy and action plan for New Zealand was vitally important. "New Zealand Inc. cannot afford to spend limited capital unwisely."

"Freight is heavily reliant on road and rail is under-utilised. If New Zealand's total freight task is expected to increase by 75% by 2031, we need a strategic framework for an optimal mix of rail, road, sea and air."

"If New Zealand wants to compete globally, we need a more efficient, flexible, reliable and resilient supply chain for New Zealand Inc.," Mr Harknett said.

Download the presentation here

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