Oceania

NgaiTahu Property property development general manager Ian McNabb is tosucceed Des Ashton as the chief executive of Port Marlborough andsubsidiary company Sounds Property Holdings.

Portof Napier and the Maritime Union of New Zealand have agreed the portcompany will retain the services of International StevedoringOperations while allowing shipping lines to also use alternativestevedores.

Plans foran A$1bn (US$896m) ocean terminal at Townsville have moved closer withthe release of an environmental impact statement. The developmentincludes construction of a terminal with international-standardcruiseship facilities, and residential and marina precincts.Construction…

Valencia Port Authority and EDS have been contracted to supply software to the ports in the Australian state of Victoria. This aim is to develop a Vessel Call and Hazardous Materials Services…

Reefer operator Seatrade has made the strategic decision to switch base from Auckland to the Port of Tauranga following the winning of long-term contracts with both Zespri and ENZA.

Environmental clearance has now been given for the construction of Wiggins Island Coal Terminal at the port of Gladstone, Australia.

Port of Tauranga set a second-successive container throughput record of 50,466 teu during November - a 6% increase on the previous record set only a month before.

Small mining companies in Australia are expected to challenge Newcastle ports decision to allocate 2008 export capacity based on rail transport contracts. This follows the inability by all parties concerned to agree…

New Zealands Maritime Union has recently pursued strong industrial action in ongoing disputes with both the Ports of Auckland and the Port of Napier.

Short sea shipping plans for 1.3m tonnes of coal from a new mine in NewZealand every year for the next 18 have been rejected in favour of rail.

Public consultation is beingsought on three maritime documents released by New Zealands Ministryof Transport - a draft sea freight strategy, Port and Harbour andSafety Navigation Management discussion, and discussion on fourinternational maritime…

Queenslandcoal producers will be subject to further exports rationing afterDalrymple Bay Coal Terminal received interim authorisation to extendthe terminals queue management system.

Speculationhas arisen that low-level merger talks have commenced betweenLyttelton Port of Christchurch and Port Otago, although both partiesremain tight-lipped to the media.

New ZealandsEmployment Relations Authority has been asked to resolve the collectiveemployment agreement impasse between Ports of Auckland and the MaritimeUnion of New Zealand, that recently saw five strike notices issued injust over…

The Victorian Government must work towards allowing a thirdcontainer stevedore to operate in the state, according to the EssentialServices Commission draft Review of Port Planning.

PrimePort Timaru chairperson Sid McAuley hassaid regional ports need increased weighting in Government decisions on New Zealandsshipping future.