Auckland launches round two of automation consultation

Consultation will focus on a scoping study undertaken since the proposal was announced last August, and is expected to last about five weeks leading to a decision on whether to proceed or not.

Although the proposal would be expected to cost about 50 stevedoring roles, the port company has indicated that with the project taking about three years to implement, those reductions could be accommodated via normal staff turnover and retirement.

Challenged for space at its Waitemata seaport and striving to find further operational efficiencies, Ports of Auckland is eyeing the automated straddle option as increasing terminal capacity by 30% through the ability to stack containers four high.

However, manual operation would be retained between the terminal and the cranes.