Oceania

An aerial view of most Australian and NewZealand ports 50 years ago would have revealed a profusion of narrowtimber wharves lining river banks and copious finger piers protrudinginto harbours and bays.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union Timaru branch president Peter Clemens has expressed his 80 members concern over PrimePort Timarus future following three major customers recently announcing service reductions.

Maersk Lines 4,100-teu ships have made a notable contribution to the transhipping-based 25% increase in container throughput to 89,000 teu achieved by Port Otago during the six months to December 31, 2007.

Australia business leaders have called for state and federal governments to invest in ports and distribution hubs.

An already decade-long wrangle over legal title of the 32 hectares of seabed covered by Northport is halting plans for a new NZ$40m (US$31m) berth.

Christchurch City Holdings has marginally increased its shareholding in Lyttelton Port of Christchurch from 75.01% to 75.08%. The investment arm of the Christchurch City Council has previously been blocked in an attempt…

The capacity balancing system (CBS) designed to limit vessel arrivals has been re-approved for the port of Newcastle until the end of the year.

The port of Newcastles biggest exporter will double its output by 2015. Coal & Allied, owned by Rio Tinto, will spend A$5bn (US$4.8bn) to boost production to 58m tonnes/year.