Positive tones in NZ merger talks

Although at the time of going to press the ports were unwilling to comment further, the Ports of Auckland and Tauranga referred attention to a positive joint press release issued just before Christmas.

Relations have recently thawed between the South Island ports of Christchurch and Otago, following the frosty period induced by Port Otago last year purchasing a blocking stake in LPC to prevent partnership plans with overseas interest, Hutchison Port Holdings.

The two ports are expected to soon discuss the possibility of a merger for the first time, which would aim to minimise infrastructure duplicity and improve cargo flows, while avoiding being played off against each other by increasingly dominant shipping companies.