OCEANIA

NZ ports future under scrutiny

16 years ago

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) chief executive Peter Davie predicts there will only be a handful of international container ports in New Zealand within the next decade, as a second tier of feeder ports develops.

He says CentrePort Wellington might be one which misses out due to the region having lost its manufacturing base in recent times.

Maersk Line New Zealand managing director Julian Bevis believes there is even a long-term possibility the country may lose all direct international callers and accede to a feeder role via Australia.

He said with shipping lines having taken a “real financial battering” of late, all forms of models are being considered to serve New Zealand, Australia and other markets.

Meanwhile, Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) and Port Otago appear set to unite, with the former’s main shareholder, Christchurch City Holdings, declaring support for a merger of the two operations but not assets.

With Port Otago’s 100% owner, the Otago Regional Council, having also previously expressed similar sentiments, Commerce Commission approval will now be sought.