Although not yet providing detail on the potential new developments, given they are said to be at the conceptual stage, the port is in the throes of expanding its Waingawa (Wairarapa) facility and has recently increased capacity of its twice-daily log train from the inland hub.
It has been estimated that about 30,000 annual log truck movements have been eliminated by its handful of existing hubs served by CentrePort’s “CentreRail” service, consequently delivering a notable reduction in CO2 emissions.
Given CentrePort’s projections for the rapid growth curve of its log business to continue, it is prioritising investment in both on- and off-port infrastructure to accommodate, says a CentrePort spokesperson.
“Log volumes through CentrePort have nearly doubled since 2013 – from just under 660,000 tonnes to the 2018 volume of just over 1.3 million tonnes,” stated the spokesperson.
“CentrePort is tracking to achieve approximately 1.8 million tonnes in the current financial year, with total volumes forecast to be around 2.5 million to 2.8 million tonnes in the next four-to-six years.
“CentrePort is investing in its hub network to continue to enhance logistics supply chain solutions for customers. Investment in hub expansion/development is ongoing in the Wairarapa, Manawatu, Whanganui and Taranaki, covering a variety of cargoes.
“The log industry is forecast to continue to grow for several years and CentrePort is anticipating the demand for a logistics chain solution of customers.”