Investment not expansion

Northport will invest NZ$8m in infrastructure needed to support the growth of container traffic through the port. The investment comes as Northport and fellow ports in New Zealand are under scrutiny following a 2019 report that recommended the closure of Ports of Auckland (POAL) and the development of Northport.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to growing container traffic through Northport to service the trade needs of both our region and north Auckland,” said chief executive Jon Moore. “It’s a solid vote of confidence in the potential for significant and continued economic growth around our region and across the Upper North Island.”

What work is planned?

Northport is extending its container storage area and upgrading its lighting to enhance safety during 24-hour operations. The deep-water port will start paving an extra four hectares of its south-west development in October and install at a later stage six 35m towers with LED lights. It has also placed orders for two new reach-stacker container handlers and a new dock-truck and MAFI trailer.

Mr Moore said this investment was not linked to possible expansion of the port. “This is equipment we need to manage the here and now. We invest in infrastructure that we know we have a need for.”

The company is forecasting a 15% year-on-year increase in the volume of container traffic for this financial year to the end of June.

Situated at Marsden Point at the mouth of Whangarei Harbour, Northport is owned and operated by Northport Ltd, itself owned jointly and equally by Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd and the Port of Tauranga Ltd.

Northport Ltd is continuing with the work and studies it needs to complete before lodging the Resource Consent application for its growth plans. It has already posted a range of predominantly draft expert reports on its ‘Vision for Growth’ website with several more to come.