It was a record breaking year in which containers were half its cargo traffic coming in at 796,024 TEU, a 35% increase on the FY before, attributed to siphoning of cargo by rail from its inland container MetroPort facility, south Auckland by rail, and remaining third of gains made from re-directed freight following Ports of Auckland strikes and go slows.
New shipping services support the increase by 200,000 TEU of the total handled with Metroport up 33% to 183,000 TEU. “Our long-term business partner KiwiRail was pivotal to this success. At short notice, it stepped up increasing services from MetroPort in Auckland to Sulphur Point from four to six trains per day giving us capacity of up to 636 TEU per day each way. It continues to offer this service,” said port CEO Mark Cairns.
Cargo volume by tonnage was up 20% to 18.5 million tonnes with diary leading the volume in 126% increase to 1.33 million tonnes and logs up 11% to 4.9 million tonnes.
“The port is forecast to continue gains despite a global economic uncertainty,” said Cairns weathering huge volume increases in March of 82,000 TEU up 81% year-on-year.
It awaits a final decision in October on NZD180 million capital expenditure port expansion over the next three years and dredging work to allow for the next generation vessels. In the last financial year, the port expanded its fleet of twin-lift straddle carriers by six and has ordered a further six for delivery early in 2013.