Port of Tauranga in New Zealand has been given the go ahead to proceed with works to widen and deepen its shipping channels to accomodate larger ships following a four year consent process.
The dredging project will be carried out in several stages, with the first commencing towards the end of 2013 and taking up to a year to complete.
Mark Cairns, chief executive, Port of Tauranga, said: "Larger ships, both containerised and bulk, have relatively higher fuel efficiency (and are therefore more carbon efficient) with lower operating costs per unit. This will enhance the competitiveness of New Zealand exporters and provide lower freight costs for importers."
The New Zealand Shippers' Council estimates the value to New Zealand from larger ships operating on the South East Asia trade routes as up to NZ$338m per year, increasing up to NZ$391m per year by 2020.
The dredging project will widen and deepen the shipping channel from 12.9 metres to 16.0 metres depth at low water. This will allow ships of up to 347 metres in length and 14.5 metres draught to be accommodated.
This project is part of a NZ$170m capital expenditure programme to expand capacity and improve productivity at the port. Other work under way includes a 170 metre extension of the Sulphur Point wharves, which is nearing completion and will expand berth capacity by 28%.
