NZ volumes down but boxes up
Forsyth Barr senior investment analyst Jeremy Simpsons review of the annual reports of 11 New Zealand ports has revealed that total cargo volume comparably fell during the year despite a slight average increase in container throughput.
Generally-speaking, Mr Simpson found port management remained “very cautious” about both the near-term outlook and future capital expenditure.This is based on the weak economic outlook both globally and locally, the risks of the strong New Zealand Dollar on demand for exports, uncertainties around shipping schedules and ship line consolidation, and uncertainties around logistics decisions by major exporters.