Free Articles | NZ Transport Intelligence Business Week

Emerging logistics markets will come off best in 2012

Emerging BRIC markets will be the logistics stars of 2012 as they reduce their dependency on developed markets and compete to be the trade …

Gisborne – Napier rail line falling into disrepair

The fate of the Gisborne – Napier rail line looks no brighter despite KiwiRail having railed six wagons of squash for export from Napier …

Oddspot: US confuses Auckland’s ‘subways’

People in the US often get confused about the world outside their borders and so it appears when it comes to their knowledge of …

Milford tunnel faces fresh hurdle

The prospect of a bus tunnel linking the top of Lake Wakatipu with the upper Hollyford Valley to slash the time taken to travel …

The Main Report Group’s “Sacred Cows” Survey Reveals The Retirement Age Must Rise, No Support For MMP And Too Many Parliamentary Seats

After 12 years on the front line in politics Simon Power concluded Parliament is too often afraid to tackle the “tough issues” for fear …

Port Taranaki may use toxic gas for fumigation

An environmental battle could be brewing over Port Taranaki announcing it is considering using the controversial gas methyl bromide in large-scale fumigation of logs. …

Stoush brewing over regional transport funding

Nelson City is heading for a showdown with the NZTA over how to spend $22m of funding drawn from excise duty and light vehicle …

Massive overspending on logistics

Industry analysis from Insource Spend Management Group, providers of spending management tools, has found Fortune 500 companies in the US are overspending billions of …

Freight volumes rise in and out of Taranaki

Freight volumes in and out of Taranaki are rising. KiwiRail says port call changes by shipping lines has meant KiwiRail has picked up new …

PrimePort enjoys profit surge

PrimePort Timaru is in the black posting a $1.6m after-tax profit for the year to 30 June 2011 up from $633,000.
Meanwhile operating revenue …

Christchurch ‘alliance’ to rebuild shattered roads

A public-private hybrid has been formed in Christchurch to rebuild the city’s shattered horizontal infrastructure following two devastating earthquakes.
Roads form a major part …

Call to ressurect Christchurch commuter rail

Commuter train services linking Christchurch with its outlying towns should be reinstated in a proposal released by the NZ Institute of Architects.
It says …

Free Wi-Fi on Auckland LINK buses

Aucklanders can now enjoy free WI-FI access on all NZ Bus LINK services and on one of the trains running from Kingsland to Britomart. …

World Cup train debacle result of underinvestment?

Fallout from the rail debacle on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup is escalating with the Greens claiming the problems were caused …

Freight enquiry submissions published

The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into international freight services has elicited 42 submissions from across the industry, which are available now on its website. Some …

KiwiRail recruiting locomotive drivers

KiwiRail needs up to 60 additional locomotive drivers to cater for rising demand for its freight services. The trainees will be needed for locomotive …

Economic boost from Expressway just $40m

A new Govt new summary of its planned and under construction transport projects claims the completed Waikato Expressway is expected to boost productivity in …

Car-biased Auckland gets a roasting

Aust transport expert Paul Mees claims Auckland has the most car-based transport policy of just about any city in the developed world. The senior …

Logging truck corridors could get funding

Remaining R funds from a special fuel levy could be used to create routes for new longer forestry vehicles in the Gisborne area if …

Southland eyes hydrogen fuel

Southland could lead the country in alternative fuel production with an investigation underway into harnessing hydrogen made from renewable sources to power commercial vehicles …

Electric car equivalent to 26c/litre petrol

The cost-saving advantages of running an electric car, combined with their increasing availability on the market, make them an increasingly attractive choice as urban …

Labour policy favours rail, coastal shipping

The Labour Party says simply concentrating on Roads of National Significance (RONS) isn’t a comprehensive national transport strategy. Its transport and infrastructure spokesman, Shane …

Pay as you go best for roading?

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has found an ally in his plea to get road users in the city to pay for new transport projects. …

Government ‘ignoring local roads funding’

The growing rift between central, local and regional Govt over local road funding appears to be widening. Horizons Regional Council members are the latest …

New 787-9 delay riles Air NZ

Air New Zealand is getting hot under the collar at ongoing delays in getting its new fleet of Boeing 787s into service. CFO Rob …

Labour procurement muddies transport waters

Buying major equipment for transport projects in NZ could become more complicated under a future Labour Govt. Labour’s pro-NZ Govt procurement policy clearly takes …

Road toll drop ‘unsustainable’

NZ could be heading for its lowest road toll in at least 60 years with the annual figure on track for less than 300. …

Trend: Containers bounce back

Container lines are ignoring a drop in freight rates and bringing the highest proportion of the shipping fleet out of mothballs since 2008, when …

Chch motorway stands up to quakes

Christchurch’s $140m southern motorway extension is on target for completion despite three major earthquakes affecting the city since September last year. Work on the …

Agriculture driving exemptions being abused?

The Road Transport Forum says the recent prosecution of Waikato-based agricultural contractor John Austin Ltd for 23 of its truck drivers at the wheel …

Bus operators face up to World Cup challenge

The country’s leading bus and coach operators will converge on the Bay of Islands this weekend for the Bus and Coach Associations annual conference. …

Global movement: Megaship orders rolling in

The trend towards giant container ships is continuing with Maersk Line ordering another 10 of its 18,000 TEU ships, and NOL Group confirming 10 …

In brief: The week’s transport highlights

KiwiRail has signed an order for a further 20 DL diesel locomotives from CNR Dalian. Scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2012, …

Diesel-solar hybrid ship to transport hybrid cars

Toyota has started shipping hybrid cars from Japan using a hybrid ship in an effort to cut costs, pollution and fuel consumption from the …

Councils, farmers to blame for effluent spills on roads

The trucking industry has come out swinging in the ongoing controversy over effluent spills from stock trucks.
Road Transport Forum CEO Ken Shirley says …

Ports in 2060 to be ‘on artificial islands’

Cargotec has come up with what is says is the port of the future. The project, dubbed Port 2060, was devised to spark discussion …

Scottish govt supports NZ bus deal

While the NZ Govt steers clear of helping KiwiRail build rail wagons in NZ, across the globe Scottish bus maker Alexander Dennis’s $45m deal …

Roads in south face hit from review

Regional NZ looks set to take another hit in terms of transport infrastructure funding as the Govt continues its focus on big highway projects …

Queenstown to get airspace redesign

Queenstown’s airport is to get an overhaul of its airspace limitations to allow increased capacity from five operations an hour to 12 or more. …

Global warming puts ice roads in jeopardy

Ice road trucking, a sizable industry spanning thousands of miles of man-made roads in Northern Canada, could be in jeopardy due to global warming.
UCLA …

Solar-powered rail tunnel opens

It may sound counterintuitive, but Europe’s first solar-powered railway tunnel has opened in Antwerp, Belgium.
The 3.36km long tunnel forms part of the Paris-Amsterdam …

Pacifica adds CO2 calculator

Pacifica Shipping has made a CO2 calculator available for its customers to calculate the sea freight component of greenhouse gas emissions.
Food companies in …

Global movement: African railway boom ahead

More than 33,000km of railway lines are planned to be built in the Middle East and North Africa in the coming years. The region’s …

Trend: Bus travel revival

Bus travel is back in vogue in the US, with the revival being spearheaded by British bus and rail transport giant Stagecoach which also …

Bridge creaks under heavier trucks

More strengthening work is needed on Auckland’s harbour bridge due to the impact of heavier trucks now permitted on the structure.
The work is …

Bus lanes send Ameti costs spiralling

The cost of yet another major road building project is heading skywards. Officials say including making space for dedicated rapid transit corridors linking Panmure …

Piracy at all-time high

It would seem like something which died with the end of the sailing ship age, but piracy at sea hit an all-time high in …

Kapiti expressway upsets NIMBYs

As expected, there has been a degree of Nimbyism to the NZ Transport Agency’s announcement of a preferred Kapiti Coast western route option through …

Joyce welcomes Auckland’s EMUs

KiwiRail has announced a short list of two for the procurement and maintenance of 38 new electric trains (EMUs) in a selection process which …

Fuel tax increase on hold

The Govt has deferred the planned fuel tax increase of 1.5 cents per litre, due to come into effect on July 1 due to …

From the provinces: Funds shortfall puts drivers at risk

Queenstown lakes District Council is warning insufficient Govt funding means drivers could be facing treacherous winter roads driving to and from skifields. NZTA funding …

News of the week and Odd Spot

Huge Cost For Albany Rail Line – Joyce. Transport Minister Steven Joyce continues to quote huge costs from nameless officials on some proposed rail …

Low density housing fuels transport issues

An environmental planning expert says NZ’s 10 acre dream is fuelling growing transport problems nationwide.
Waikato University professor of Environmental Planning, Bob Evans says …

Overcrowding cuts train revenue

Wellington’s regional council has lost $276,000 in six weeks because its trains are so overcrowded staff can’t get to all passengers to clip tickets. …

Wave of investment into Middle East ports

Middle East port owners plan to invest $46.5bn in facilities across the region.
There are currently around 35 ports within the Gulf region, many …

Economic pick-up good for freight forwarders

After a difficult 2009, international freight forwarders benefited in 2010 from the improving global economy.
Analysts Transport Intelligence says strategic focus on specific geographies, …

Bus numbers get boost as fuel prices rise

Demand for public transport is rocketing in Auckland driven largely by high fuel prices which could put pressure on the Govt to allocate more …

Infrastructure: Danish Infrastructure Approach Lesson For NZ

NZ Council for Infrastructure Development CEO Stephen Selwood says NZ needs to follow the Danish outcome focused approach to developing major infrastructure projects. He …

Transport Business: Green Shoots In Transport Trading

Port of Tauranga, the most efficient port in Australasia based on an Australian estimate, is expected to report a recovery in container volumes with …

Shipping: Kiwi Coastal Shipping Looking To Aust

NZ’s coastal shipping industry will be keeping a watchful eye on developments across the Tasman Sea, as Aust looks to establish a second register …

Rail: KiwiRail On Line With 10 Year Turnaround Plan

Rail’s job is to get on with its turnaround plan which, while a 10 year exercise, is beginning to deliver better outcomes for its …

Asset Sales: Treasury Examines Crown’s Air NZ Holding

John Key has instructed the Treasury to assess the merits of retaining 76% of Air NZ as part of a wider review of profitable …

Airports: Auckland Airport’s Importance To Grow

Auckland International Airport is already the country’s second largest ‘port’ by value of freight movements, and the Market Economics consultancy says the hub’s role …

Air Travel: Air NZ, Virgin Move Pressures Qantas, Jetstar

Hard on the heels of Aust watchdog (ACCC) and NZ Govt approval for Air NZ and Virgin Blue to code share on the Tasman …

Air Travel: Air NZ Skycouch Seating To Remain Exclusive

The recently introduced “cuddle class” Skycouch seating and bedding arrangement available in Air NZ’s new Boeing 777-300 aircraft will remain exclusive to the national …

Shipping: “Super Slow Steaming” Threat To Exports

As international freight shipping lines contemplate moving from slow steaming to super slow steaming, the idea of NZ forming its own shipping company to …

Commuter Rail: Auckland Slates Joyce’s Rail Loop Response

Auckland Council transport chairman Mike Lee has come out swinging at Transport Minister Steven Joyce’s less than enthusiastic response to the proposed $2m CBD …

Exports: Bathurst Coal Favouring Sea Over Rail

Bathurst Resources likes the look of small ocean-going coal carriers servicing the Buller Coal Project, when it starts producing in a year or so, …

Port Sector: Auckland’s Fergusson To take 5,500 TEU Ships

Ports of Auckland expects container ships of 5000-5500 TEUs to be turning up before the 7,000 container behemoths start arriving on the scene. It …

Road Project: Infrastructure Compensation Needs Clarity

There’s always going to be disgruntled, affected people from major infrastructure construction such as the revised Kapiti expressway impacting on their homes and life. …

Infrastructure: Waterview – Fletcher v Fulton Hogan/Leighton

Construction of the Waterview connection comes down to local heavyweight Fletcher Building against partners Fulton Hogan and Leighton Contractors, part of Australia’s biggest project …

NZ Rail Sector: KiwiRail, Union At Odds On Wagon Building

A row has broken out between railway workshop workers and KiwiRail over who should build 300 new container wagons for the rail company as …

Customs: ePassports, SmartGate Numbers Still Rising

The recently introduced SmartGate automated passenger clearance system has just passed its 500,000th passenger in NZ. SmartGate is installed at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch …

Air Freight: Air NZ Dodges Probe On Cartel Behaviour

Air NZ escaped censure from the European Commission, which imposed fines totalling 800m euros on 11 airlines for operating as a cartel. Qantas was …

Log Exports: Logs Help Boost Eastland Group Profit

Eastland Group, which owns and operates the Gisborne port, has reported a 15% rise in profit for the six months to September 30 2010 …

Rail: KiwiRail Needs New Rolling Stock Soon

KiwiRail CEO Jim Quinn says freight growth forecasts indicate KiwiRail will need to introduce another 30 new locomotives, 535 new heavy rated container flat …

Port Reform: Debate Before Compulsion

Recently elected Bay of Plenty regional councillor Doug Owens says NZ can’t afford not to have a debate on the future of the country’s …

Auckland Transport: Who Would Pay For Auckland CBD Rail Loop?

New Auckland super city mayor Len Brown may be keen on a CBD railway loop to complete the already announced major upgrades to the …

Logistics: Fonterra Revs Up Robotic Forklifts

Fonterra has marked a major milestone in ongoing efforts to enhance its supply chain efficiency by declaring the robotic forklift commercially operational. Fonterra has …

Coal Exports: South Port Could Be Lignite Transport Option

Southland and South Otago’s 6bn tonne lignite resource, and more importantly its future potential uses, is being closely watched by South Port. If, among …

Energy Supply: Oil Supply And Price Shocks Will Hurt NZ

In spite of known and (potentially very large) unknown oil reserves NZ’s isolation could make it very vulnerable to coming, expected oil supply and …

Civil Defence: Disaster Warning For Country’s Airports

Christchurch International Airport CEO Jim Boult wants airport managers to be prepared because a catastrophic earthquake could happen anywhere, anytime in the country. Boult …

Infrastructure: Central Govt Targeting Infrastructure Corridors

“Phase 2″ Resource Management Act reforms have big implications for land transport operators, ports and airports. The newly published consultation document, “Building Competitive Cities,” …

Regulation: Air NZ/Pacific Blue Offer Pressures Aussie Watchdog

The Jetstar/AA tie-up is all the more interesting because of the difficulties Air NZ and Virgin Blue are having with Aust competition authorities over …

Auckland Transport: Auckland CBD Rail Loop Early test For Brown

Auckland’s new mayor Len Brown may have secured a 64,597 vote majority over rival John Banks but even his strong mandate will be tested …

Rail: New Wagons For Coal And Dairy Traffic

KiwiRail is upgrading its less than trainload coal handling capacity ordering 80 new HLC coal containers. The existing containers are effectively worn out and …

Transport Business: Profit Dips At Fulton Hogan

Construction group Fulton Hogan posted a 21% decline in annual profit to $79.5m, mainly reflecting the acquisition of the remaining 50% of Aust’s Pioneer …

Rail Sector: Toll NZ, KiwiRail Getting Along After Split

KiwiRail is best known for its high-profile customers such as Fonterra, which is helping reshape the domestic freight market. KiwiRail’s biggest customer is Toll …

Bio-security Costs: Rule To Change NZ Regional Airport Funding?

Regional airports impose an unnecessary cost on the Crown when they open and close international services tied to a single carrier. This is the …

Air Fares: Air NZ Blasts Rivals With New Low Fares

Air NZ is raising the heat on its competitors on Tasman and Pacific routes with a new range of fares which undercut by significant …

Road Building: $2bn Kaimai Tunnel Proposed

NZ Transport Agency wants to build a tunnel under the Kamai Ranges with three possible routes being investigated at a cost of up to …

Auckland Supercity: Auckland Gets Its New Set Of Mandarins

The great, and the good are the Govt’s hand-picked executives just appointed to Auckland’s council-controlled organisations by Transport Minister Steve Joyce and Local Govt …

Transport Politics: Interim Transport Chief Faces Big Challenge

David Warburton – who is head of a Melbourne consulting firm, has been appointed as interim CEO of the new Auckland Transport Agency. …

Transport Costs: RUC Increase Well Telegraphed By Govt

About the only good thing in the Govt’s confirmation Road User Charges will increase from October 1 is this time there has been, as …

Shipping Sector: Embrace Bigger Ships Or Become A Backwater

If NZ doesn’t move quickly and prepare at least a couple of ports to accommodate large modern container ships, it risks only having a …

Infrastructure: Direct Govt Funding Better Than PPPs

The Govt’s move towards public-private partnerships (PPPs) for big infrastructure projects such as new motorways is opposed by opposition parties. Labour’s finance spokesman, David …

Port Sector: Business Lobby Wants Councils Cast Off From Ports

Forcing local authorities to sell their shares in port companies, improved financial disclosure, contestability in stevedoring and separation of asset ownership from operations are …

Transport Business: Freightways Results Show Weak Demand

It is testament to a listed company when it can report profit dropped by a third and its shares still rise. Freightways, whose courier …

E-Tickets: NZTA To Create National Ticketing Standards

Ticketing system providers and other transport organisations have given the green light to the NZ Transport Agency’s development of a set of national standards …

Coal Exports: Buller Coal Transport Options Still Up In The Air

Port Taranaki hasn’t heard whether Bathurst Resources Ltd, managers of the Buller Coal Project, are likely to barge the high quality coking coals from …

Ports Sector: Lyttelton-Otago Merger Talks Grind Slowly

There’s been an independent consultant’s report compiled on the proposed operational merger between the Port of Otago and Lyttelton Port Company, and the latter’s …

Port Sector: Tauranga Eyes Up More Inland Port Sites

Port of Tauranga wants to build more inland ports and is eyeing up possible locations around Hamilton and Manawatu. The port company hopes to …

NZTA Board Overhaul Complete

The NZ Transport Agency gets a harder commercial edge with the appointment of three new board members from the business community. Patsy Reddy is …

Road Tolls: Tauranga Has Second Crack At Rod Tolls

Tauranga’s Route K hasn’t been the cracking success envisaged in 2003. Not enough traffic uses the route to generate income which could be applied …

Logistics Industry: Govt need closer links

The logistics industry, industry bodies and Govt need to forge a strong working relationship in order to overcome the unique challenges facing the sector …

Truck Industry: Most big truck applications rejected

The NZ Transport Authority has received 302 weight-oriented applications for permits to allow more efficient trucks on specific roads. Of the 59 applications which …

Asset Sales: Queensland rail, ports on the block

John Key’s deferral of state asset sales until his Govt’s second term may prove to be a shrewd move with some $A15bn of infrastructural …

Airline Sector: Air NZ may see value in Virgin Blue equity

Air NZ may be denying it wants shares in Virgin Blue at the moment, but it is a logical next step in the proposal …

Aviation Charges: CAA charges may be set to rise

The Civil Aviation Authority is projecting cash reserves from its Aviation Security arm to almost halve over the next three years to $38m as …

NZ Ports Sector: Global Demand For Timber Keeps Ports Humming

Most NZ ports are chock-a-block with logs awaiting exports, and some may have to gear up increased storage to cope with what some are …

Bio Fuel: Import restrictions blunting uptake of bio-fuels

Used vehicle import restrictions are being blamed as one of the reasons for the low use of bio-diesel in NZ. South Canterbury arable farmer …

Air Sector: Airport investments must now provide value

Auckland International Airport’s 24.99% purchase of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s share of the Queenstown Airport Corporation for $27.7m is likely to be its …

Rail Freight: Doing Nothing Was Route To KiwiRail Insolvency

Budget papers show KiwiRail was headed for insolvency and receivership if no action was taken by stakeholders to turn the company around. This conclusion …

Emissions: Coastal shippers say foreigners avoid ETS costs

The Shipping Federation says the Emissions Trading Scheme’s carbon charge impost on coastal shippers is putting NZ’s domestic fleet at a competitive disadvantage compared …

Road Transport: Trucking customers feel bite of ETS impost

Given their extremely tight margins road transport operators will have no option but to pass on the Emissions Trading Scheme effects on fuel costs …

Air Safety: CAA Must Improve After Damning Report

The Civil Aviation Authority certifies aviation companies as safe to be in the air so it is disturbing to have a drubbing meted out …

Interisland Freight: Rail ferry upgrade waste of money

Former Pacifica Shipping head Rod Grout has come out swinging against KiwiRail’s interisland ferry upgrade plan claiming it will cost taxpayers $220m and never …

Interisland Freight: KiwiRail’s Quinn defends rail ferry plan

KiwiRail CEO Jim Quinn is defending the centrepiece of the SOE’s profitability strategy of focusing on the Auckland – Christchurch rail freight market which …

Ports Sector: Larger Container Ships Study Delayed

A report outlining key bottlenecks in preventing large capacity container ships servicing NZ ports has itself been temporarily stymied by its own bottleneck. A …

NZ Rail: Buller Coal Project May Be A Bonanza For KiwiRail

KiwiRail could be on the verge of winning millions of tonnes of extra coal traffic if a new coal mine on the West Coast …

Infrastructure: Tensions predicted where fibre meets the road

The Govt’s national rollout of highspeed broadband services is seen as key to lifting the nation’s OECD performance ranking, but there are signs it …

NZ Road Funding: Councils See Shrinking Share Of Transport Funding

Regional councils’ share of the total spend on NZ roads is expected to drop to 30% over the next three years. Local Government NZ …

Freight Costs: Freight Customers Resigned to ETS-Driven Cost Rise

Customers of major freight companies are resigned to the price increases looming on July 1, when the Emissions Trading Scheme kicks in, adding some …

Shipping: Famous Pacific boosts shipping services

Famous Pacific Shipping, (FPS) is enhancing its intra-Pacific Islands freight connections with the launch of a new regular direct oceanfreight consolidation service to a …

NZ Rail: Fonterra, Solid Energy Not Keen On raised Rail Costs

Two of KiwiRail’s biggest corporate customers, Fonterra and Solid Energy, say they’re willing to channel more freight through the rail network but bridle at …

NZ Rail: KiwiRail Wins Govt Commitment To $750 Million

KiwiRail has concrete acknowledgement from the Govt it is part of the nation’s transport future and needs funding support to bring its network up …

NZ Rail: Call to end interisland rail freight

Former Pacifica Shipping chief Rod Grout says KiwiRail needs to concentrate on moving freight within the North and South Islands rather than try and …

NZ Road Transport: Red Tape Stops Heavier trucks swamping highways

Transport companies have been allowed to operate heavier and longer trucks as from May 1, but few if any are in a position to …

NZ Ports: Timaru Port Keeps Container Trade Under Review

PrimePort Timaru is keeping its container trade under review after Fonterra’s decision last August to rail product from its Clandeboye plant, just 30 kms …

NZ Rail: Big benefits of trains built locally

Pressure is mounting on the Govt to have the fleet of new electric commuter trains, due to be ordered for Auckland, built at railway …

NZ Ports: Shippers watch Lyttelton, Otago port merger talks

Lyttelton Port’s dominant shareholder Christchurch City Holdings has approved in principle an operational merger with Port Otago in a transaction being eyed by both …

NZ Air Industry: Air NZ – Virgin Blue Team Up To Take On Qantas

Air NZ and Virgin Blue will have an estimated 56% of air traffic across the Tasman if they’re granted regulator approval to team up. …

NZ Freight Sector: Auckland-ChCh is key route for Rail growth

KiwiRail CEO Jim Quinn has singled out the Auckland-Christchurch rail corridor as a critical link where the railway has the potential to boost its …

NZ Exports: Timber Volumes Double On Rail Deal

A deal secured by KiwiRail last year to move timber and pulp direct from the central North Island to CentrePort Wellington by rail has …

NZ Airports: Trans Tasman Traffic Stokes Airport Volumes

Australians lured to NZ by affordable short-haul getaway packages are underpinning volumes through Auckland International Airport. Arrivals from across the Tasman jumped about 16% …

NZ Airports: Trans Tasman Traffic Stokes Airport Volumes

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has a blunt message for customers of KiwiRail – it is time to sharpen their pencils and it’s exactly what …

Truck Safety: MP intervenes to improve truck safety problem

Labour’s Transport Safety spokesperson Darien Fenton says she will be taking action over what she describes as “horrific revelations” truck drivers routinely fall asleep …

Transport Regulation: Govt cleans up rules for hazardous goods

Dangerous goods transporters on road and rail are to comment on improvements to the Hazardous Substances (Tank Wagons and Transportable Containers) Regulations 2004 (The …

NZ Rail Sector: KiwiRail Customers Must Pay More

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has a blunt message for customers of KiwiRail – it is time to sharpen their pencils and it’s exactly what …

Alternative Fuel: Bio-diesel plant waiting on oil price moves

Bio-diesel NZ is holding off committing up to $20m to build a commercial bio-diesel plant at its Rolleston site south west of Chch until …

NZ Road Transport: Upside for transport firms as economy recovers

Mainfreight, the biggest operator in NZ’s LCL, or less-than-container-load, freight market has “left the recession behind” and is heading for improved earnings in the …

NZ Rail: New Chairman Has Right Stuff To Steer KiwiRail

Jim Bolger’s ‘retirement’ as chair of KiwiRail came sooner than the former PM would have liked. He was originally appointed for a one-year term …

NZ Rail Sector: Rail industry update coming in April

A snap shot of the state of the rail industry in NZ will be held on 21 April in Wellington when the NZ Rail …

NZ Transport Management: Moller Moves NZTA away from change management

Chris Moller, probably most widely known as former chief of the NZ Rugby Union, begins his three-year term as chair of the NZ Transport …

NZ Rail Strategy: Crunch Time Looms For KiwiRail Ahead Of Budget

KiwiRail gets a pass mark for its 10-year plan, now in the hands of Govt and officials. Transport Minister Steven Joyce says it is …

NZ Rail Sector: KiwiRail seeks suppliers for Auckland’s trains

KiwiRail has formally contacted international railway rolling stock suppliers who may be interested in building the fleet of new electric commuter trains for Auckland. …

Aviation Security: USA seeks broader commitment to aviation security

US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano was attending her third aviation security conference this year when she flew into Tokyo this month for …

NZ Rail Policy: Crunch Time Looms For KiwiRail Ahead Of Budget

KiwiRail gets a pass mark for its 10-year plan, now in the hands of Govt and officials. Transport Minister Steven Joyce says it is …

NZ Exports: Zespri Speeds deliveries to Europe, Asia

Zespri is the first customer of Tokyo-based Fresh Carriers Co to take space in MV Lady Rosebay on its maiden voyage to Zeebrugge in …

NZ Roads: Route work starts on Wellsford – Puhoi highway

Work is expected to start soon on community consultations on the proposed Puhoi Wellsford motorway extension. This follows NZ Transport Agency’s awarding a $12m …

NZ Rail Investment: Long term Investment Key To KiwiRail’s Success

Sustained investment in KiwiRail’s infrastructure and rolling stock will be essential to the state owned railway company achieving long term financial viability. KiwiRail’s Chief …

Road Technology: New Traffic Technology For SH1 Wellington

New technology to improve safety, traffic flow and on-road information is being introduced for Wellington motorway users. New electronic ‘Lane Control Signs’ on SH1 …

Ports Sector: Ports volume weakens but logs show resilience

Both Port of Tauranga and Lyttelton Port Co reported a jump in log volumes in the first half, a period characterised by cost cutting …

NZ Rail Industry: Deferred Maintenance Catch-Up A KiwiRail priority

The National Infrastructure Plan reiterates the Govt wants KiwiRail weaned off its $90m-a-year operating subsidy “over time” but says there are unanswered questions related …

NZ Freight Capacity: Cook Strait ferry cargo capacity to be boosted?

Trucking companies and rail freight customers can look forward to improved inter-island freight services with KiwiRail considering expanding the Interislander ferry Aratere to boost …

NZ Road Safety: Black boxes years away for NZ trucking fleet

Black box technology as used in aircraft to help determine the cause of crashes is unlikely to be introduced in NZ trucks in the …

Airline Sector: Air NZ Braces For Increase In Qantas Seat Capacity

After grounding planes in 2009, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce plans to add some 340,000 seats of capacity in the next 12 months. Adding capacity …

Transport Planning: Future Auckland transport Plans “confused”

Auckland City Council’s submission to the Govt on the third Auckland Governance Bill raises concerns about how council-controlled organisations, such as Auckland Transport, will …

Infrastructure: Waikato Expressway completion may be delayed

The Govt and its transport agency are at odds over the Govt’s pledge to complete the Waikato expressway within 10 years with new …

Dairy Exports: Fonterra Warms To KiwiRail For Milk Movements

Fonterra and KiwiRail are yet to hold formal talks on any serious expansion of rail freight from its South Island plants but the potential …

NZ Roads: Rating system could lead to speed limit changes

Transit times for road freight could potentially increase if a safety star system for the country’s state highways is adopted. The rating system could …

Port Sector: South Port upbeat after first half volumes down

Cargo volumes at South Port fell 8% to 984,000 tonnes in the first half, contributing to a 24% drop in profit to $1.7m, reflecting …

Port Reform: Auck-Tauranga Alliance Could Be 3-5 Years Away

Don’t expect any movement on consolidation of North Island ports this year. Any discussions involving Ports of Auckland will have to wait until after …

Rail Reform: 2010 Priorities Include Tough Decisions On KiwiRail

Funding options for KiwiRail are among Transport Minister Steven Joyce’s top four priorities for 2010. He says “the Crown’s going to have to put …

Infrastructure Funding: PPP promoters advocate new funding structure

Promoters of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to help fund roading projects in NZ are back on the offensive saying failed PPP transport projects in Aust …

NZ Port Sector: Port rationalisation ‘still inevitable’

Port of Tauranga CEO Mark Cairns says losses by container shipping lines ran to about $US20bn in the past 12 months, leaving “a fair …

NZ Aviation Sector: Air Asia X could fly to Garden City

Christchurch International airport (CIAL) appears to have stolen a march over Auckland International Airport by snaring a new air service which could link the …

NZ Roads: Motorway extension step closer to opening

Construction of the controversial SH1 motorway extension between Puhoi and Wellsford dubbed by some “The Holiday Highway” is a step closer to starting with …

Port Sector: Govt Needs To Drop Hands-Off Approach To Ports

Mainfreight MDr Don Braid says reform of the port sector and putting KiwiRail on a strong economic footing are the two biggest transport issues …

Air New Zealand: Air NZ fly into calmer air as passengers increase

Air NZ is winning the battle over falling demand, managing to slow the decline in passenger numbers in November, amid signs of rising demand …

NZ Transport Cost: Brace for higher fuel costs as crude heads north

Surging demand for crude oil is likely to increase costs for all transportation modes in 2010. China is poised to lift oil imports 15% …

NZ Road Funding: Fundamental Rethink Needed On Road Funding

Stephen Selwood, CEO of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development warns NZ will need to wean itself off reliance on fuel excise to …

NZ Port Sector: Port profit flat but ship channel to go deeper

Lyttelton Port has issued a profit warning saying full-year profit may decline, reflecting weaker first-half trading. Net profit is expected to be $9m to …

Transport Costs: Brace for higher fuel costs as crude heads north

Surging demand for crude oil is likely to increase costs for all transportation modes in 2010. China is poised to lift oil imports 15% …

Auckland Public Transport: Auckland ticketing may yet leave room for Snapper

French company Thales is to roll out the Octopus smart card/electronic ticket across an integrated Auckland public transport system, while Wellington-based Infratil introduces its …

Auckland Infrastructure: Laying the groundwork for Auckland’s future

The strengthening of Auckland Harbour Bridge’s clip-on lanes has proven a vastly more expensive proposition than was envisaged just two years ago. NZTA is …

Auckland Transport Strategy: Fears over Public transport funding cutbacks

Congestion levels in the country’s three largest cities could worsen if the Govt pushes ahead with plans to require regional councils to raise public …

NZ Port Reform: Joyce sees no Govt role in facilitating port reform

Centreport chairman Warren Larsen is the latest port official to call for Govt leadership in port reform. Larsen says port shareholders are protective of …

Auckland Road Infrastructure: Victoria Park tunnel construction begins

Construction of the Victoria Park tunnel in Auckland has started with the aim of tackling congestion on one Auckland’s busiest stretches of motorway and …

NZ Transport Business: Infratil’s earnings hurt by recession, concessions

Infratil is no closer to knowing if its successful roll-out of the Snapper card in the Wellington region can be replicated in Auckland. CEO …

NZ Port Sector: Melbourne May Loom As Bigger Threat To NZ Ports

A study by Auckland Regional Holdings on Port of Melbourne, the biggest container handling port in Australasia, warns it looms as a threat to …

NZ Dairy Sector Transport: Fonterra’s drive for transport efficiency begins

Fonterra expects to reap $200m of savings in the three years to 2011 from its supply chain, mainly from its move to focus on …

NZ Transport Planning: Govt ignores Transport officials advice on policy

Evidence of deep philosophical divisions between the Govt and transport officials are emerging. National and transport Minister Steven Joyce have ignored Ministry of Transport …

Public Transport: ARC’s $46bn Plan Highlights Funding Gap

The Auckland Regional Council is obliged to produce a 30-year plan even though the body itself will be superseded in 12 months. It is …

NZ Air Transport Sector: Air NZ chooses Airbus for domestic service

Air NZ will replace its domestic fleet of Boeing 737s with Airbus A320s, taking advantage of the downturn in the global aviation industry to …

NZ Regional Transport Planning: ARC’s $46bn plan highlights funding gap

The Auckland Regional Council is obliged to produce a 30-year plan even though the body itself will be superseded in 12 months. It is …

NZ Rail Strategy: KiwiRail’s Business Plan Probed By Experts

The national railway is in discussions with officials from the Treasury, independent consultants and the Ministry of Transport as it prepares its long-term strategy …

NZ Rail Sector: KiwiRail making inroads into infrastructure deficit

KiwiRail is continuing to make good progress into reducing the infrastructure deficit caused by decades of under funding of the rail network but it …

NZ Shipping Sector: Shipping report highlights ship-road freight divide

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is distancing itself from the recently released report it commissioned into freight transport which claims road transport is receiving an …

NZ Road Transport Funding: $1.5bn annual subsidy to road transport – report

A major report commissioned by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has found the commercial road transport sector is effectively receiving an annual subsidy of …

NZ Port Consolidation: POA, Tauranga could reap savings from merger

Morningstar’s research unit, AspectHuntley says Port of Tauranga is better placed than its Auckland rival to scale up for bigger ships with lower capital …

NZ Port Sector – POA, Tauranga Could Reap Savings From Merger

Morningstar’s research unit, AspectHuntley says Port of Tauranga is better placed than its Auckland rival to scale up for bigger ships with lower capital …

NZ Ports Sector: POA Freight Volumes Benefit From New Trend

Trans-shipments of containers routed through Auckland rose 8% in the third quarter from a year earlier, evidence of the trend for shipping lines to …

NZ Public Transport: Snapper Dangles Offer Of Big Ticketing Savings

Auckland is being offered a $70m saving against budget in the cost of developing an integrated ticketing system for public transport, one of …

NZ Freight Sector: POA Freight Volumes Benefit From New Trend

Trans-shipments of containers routed through Auckland rose 8% in the third quarter from a year earlier, evidence of the trend for shipping lines to …

Otago Port Dispute: Causing Costly Delays For Transport Companies

Truck companies are urging Port Otago management and workers to settle an industrial dispute over new staffing levels, because the dispute is causing delays …

Australasian Courier Rationalisation: NZ Post helps shake up Aust courier market

NZ Post’s foray into the Aust express courier parcel market via its joint venture with DHL has started. Parcel Direct is made up of …

KiwiRail Structure: KiwiRail Boss says rail needs to be future-proof

KiwiRail has taken a pasting in the past few months. The new infrastructure unit within the Treasury concludes it may never make a dollar …

NZ Rail Strategy: Metro rail, routine maintenance to be contestable

KiwiRail will be the owner of metro rolling stock in Auckland and Wellington, and be the gatekeeper for track access under changes to the …

KiwiRail to be weaned off subsidies

A radical downsizing of KiwiRail’s operations is looming, with the Govt’s determination to wean the national railway off its $90m-a-year subsidy while preserving its …

Auckland Raod Policy: Politician gets all worked up over holiday highway

The war of words over roading projects in the north of the North Island is heating up with the Northland Regional Transport Committee chairman …

NZ Truck Weights: Move to heavier trucks will hurt – Greens

The Green Party claims more road wear and more accidents are likely if the Govt goes ahead with plans to allow 53 tonne trucks …

NZ Rail Funding: KiwiRail to be weaned off subsidies

A radical downsizing of KiwiRail’s operations is looming, with the Govt’s determination to wean the national railway off its $90m-a-year subsidy while preserving its …

Office move doesn’t help CAA funding shortfall

The Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to move from industrial Petone to downtown Wellington, opposite Parliament, is exacerbating the airline safety agency’s efforts to trade …

Auckland Rail Network: Work Starts On Manukau Extension

Work on the first extension to Auckland’s rail network since the 1930s, connecting the main trunk line to Manukau city centre, has begun. Transport …

Road User Charges: Electronic System Raises Expectations of Rate Cuts

The Govt’s confirmation it will allow electronic distance recording and electronic display of Road User Charges (RUC) licences is already raising expectations the new …

Emissions Trading Scheme: Unlikely To Spur Modal Transport Shifts

Road Transport Forum CEO Tony Friedlander says road transport operators need not fear a loss of business to rail or other transport modes as …

Big emission sacrifices needed for aviation growth

The British Govt’s official climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) is warning the UK may have to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% …

Tight ETS timetable is fly in good ointment

Transport sector operators may welcome the Govt’s decision to only expose motorists to half the cost of carbon emissions from liquid fuels until 2013. …

Ports of Auckland gets lifeline from shareholder

Auckland Regional Holdings has dug into its own pockets to the tune of $70m to bolster the balance sheet of Ports of Auckland. The …

Govt must declare stand on ports – Maritime Union

The Maritime Union is asking where the Govt and the Minister of Transport stand on the future of regional ports after Fonterra announced last …

Toll Becomes Third Player In Parcels Market

Toll NZ has taken on Freightways and Courier Post in the parcels market, where trading is already being squeezed by the economic downturn. Toll …

Joyce faces ‘difficult’ decisions on size of rail

Transport Minister Steven Joyce faces “difficult but important” policy decisions on the size of the railway he wants taxpayers to subsidise and probably won’t …

Auckland industrial vacancy rates doubles

The amount of untenanted industrial building space in Auckland has doubled over the past year which is likely to have flow-on effect in terms …

Chamber welcomes move on Kapiti Coast highway

Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce says the proposal to build a four-lane expressway between MacKays Crossing and Otaki is a major step toward bringing …

Draft report indicates pared-back Auckland rail

Budget constraints for Auckland’s electric trains have prompted an officials group to propose a scaled-back project, with an initial purchase of 75 new railcars …

Auckland Transport Issues Will Affect All Of NZ

The Govt means business on Auckland transport issues. It has decided a new transport agency will serve the Super City. In creating the new …

Tauranga posts profit rise on dairy/log exports

Port of Tauranga, NZ’s largest export port, has boosted its annual profit for 2008/09 to $45.2m, up 7.3% on last year despite a 3.5% …

Air NZ keeps losses at bay as global industry reels

Air NZ is following rival Qantas in managing to squeeze a profit out of one of the worst downturns faced by the global airline …

Super-City Auckland To Have New Transport Agency

Responsibility for Auckland’s roading as well as buses, rail and ferries under the Super City will be taken over by the Auckland Transport Agency …

Minimising NZ’s shipping carbon footprint crucial

Maersk NZ’s MD Julian Bevis is picking maximising the use of the latest developments in environmentally sustainable shipping technology will be crucial to NZ …

Road User Charges overhaul far from over

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the exempting of electric vehicles from the Road User Charges regime and six weeks notice of changes in the …

Customers force speed of change to hub ports

More producers are likely to follow Fonterra’s lead and rationalise the number of ports they use, cutting costs and connecting with more frequent shipping …

Terminal consolidation causes transport delays

It’s case of one step forward and two steps back for clearing and receiving containers by road from the wharves at Ports of Auckland …

Listed transport sector re-rated upwards

The NZSX Transport Index, made up of Air NZ, Mainfreight and Freightways, has had a bruising 12 months courtesy of the worst economic downturn …

Freight costs to rise if emissions target set in stone

The Govt’s target of 10-20% greenhouse gas emissions reductions against 1990 levels by 2020 is a middle ground compared to the ’40% by 2020′ …

Braid calls for balanced transport policy

Mainfreight MD Don Braid is continuing to pile pressure on the Govt to make a better fist of developing a truly multi-modal transport policy. …

Civil Aviation Authority facing budget ‘problems’

The CAA’s 2009-2010 budget amounts to a 20% reduction in forecast revenues and a 7% drop in spending versus 2008-09 and the body sees …

Transport asset ownership – impediment to markets

The Govt taskforce looking into the development of the nation’s ‘thin’ capital markets sheets home part of the blame to the large amount of …

Rise in level crossing accidents causes concern

Transport operators take note. Kiwirail is reporting what is calls a “disturbing” increase in the number of level crossing collisions in the first half …

Stormy weather puts spotlight on infrastructure

Last week’s stormy weather around the capital could spell more turbulence for the Govt over funding upgrades of the region’s transport infrastructure. The series …

Heavy Trucks Decision Slammed As Irresponsible

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) says NZ needs to promote low-impact, environmentally efficient modes such as coastal shipping and rail to handle …

Ports of Auckland set to benefit shipping changes

Ports of Auckland says a new consortium of shipping lines comprising Hamburg Sud and Cosco serving the port will boost container traffic. CFO Wayne …

Bigger trucks could take freight from rail, ships

The head of the Road User Charges Review Group Tony Gibson says rail and coastal shipping could potentially lose market share to road if …

Prospect of borderless access with Aust distant

John Key is to announce efforts to streamline border controls between Aust and NZ when he meets Kevin Rudd in Canberra on August 18. …

Heavier Trucks soon for NZ roads

Heavier trucks could be plying NZ’s roads by 2010 if an amendment is passed following a successful trial. The amendment would create a permit …

Imarda says transport industry turning around

NZ fleet management and vehicle-tracking company Imarda expects a jump in revenue and profit for the first half of 2009 – in part thanks …

Big truck rule change will stimulate industry

Truck-Trailer Manufacturers Federation (TTMF) national secretary Kate Bucknell says the Land Transport Rule -Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment to allow maximum truck weight to …

Victoria Park ‘dream team’ eyes other highways

The winning consortium for Auckland’s $406m Victoria Park ‘cut and cover’ project is lining up to bid for other Roads of National Significance. Fletcher …

Funding hitch keeps train service at station

A daily Waikato commuter train to Auckland could resume as early as September, but hinges on finding $456,000 to pay for a 12-month trial. …

Questions cloud major ORC transport projects

Question marks are still hanging over some of the projects within the Otago Regional Council’s long-term plan with one having to be delayed. The …

New truck driving guide aims to raise standards

Tranzqual has released a comprehensive new guide to driving trucks on NZ roads with the aim of raising professional standards within the industry and …

One body to plan all transport for Auckland

NZ Council for Infrastructure Development (NZCID) says to overcome years of conflict between Auckland and central Govt over transport issues, it is critical …

KiwiRail’s business plan assumes continued funding

The Govt earmarked $90m in the budget for KiwiRail’s operations though it left next’s year’s allocation to be decided on a case-by-case basis. This …

PPP Proposal Could Derail Train Order

The completion of Auckland’s regional rail electrification and the ordering of a fleet of new electric commuter trains could be delayed as the Govt …

Fyfe flies kite on air route subsidies

Air NZ looks to be heading for a showdown with free marketeers in the Govt with CEO, Rob Fyfe, floating the idea of …

Public outcry forces tunnel-plan rethink

Fierce community opposition to Auckland’s revised Waterview motorway project has prompted the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider a slightly longer tunnel. It is …

Auckland’s Ticketing System Gains Traction

The integrated ticketing system designed to make Auckland’s public transport seamless is closer to a green light after the NZ Transport Agency completed a …

Infrastructure Unit To Nail Down PPP Potential

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the newly established Infrastructure Unit, within Treasury, will be key to developing the potential of PPPs to fund transport …

Greens push bold plant to cut congestion

Green Party Co-Leader, Dr Russel Norman, has unveiled what he describes as a bold plan to cut traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and help …

Off wharf problems could Stymie rationalisation

Ports of Auckland CEO, Jens Madsen, says NZ Inc will need stronger strategies in place to support transport and infrastructure needs outside port gates …

KiwiRail’s Quinn plans network revival

New KiwiRail CEO, Jim Quinn, plans to have a detailed five year recovery and expansion plan for the national railway company in place within …

ARH In The Gun As Port Debt Levels Spiral

Auckland Regional Holdings(ARH) is coming under fire for its management of Ports of Auckland (POA) with the port’s debt level spiralling upwards and calls …

Kiwirail Gets Lifeline, Capital Works Off Agenda

Finance Minister Bill English has put KiwiRail on life support but National has closed the door on any capital investment in the network indefinitely. …

Greens Highlight Funds Cut For Non Road Projects

The Greens are accusing the Govt of robbing public transport and other alternatives to roading projects to pay for its expanded road building programme. …

ARH In The Gun As Port Debt Levels Spiral

Auckland Regional Holdings(ARH) is coming under fire for its management of Ports of Auckland (POA) with the port’s debt level spiralling upwards and calls …

Infrastructure Unit To Nail Down PPP Potential

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the newly established Infrastructure Unit, within Treasury, will be key to developing the potential of PPPs to fund transport …

Rest of country will pay for Waterview – Hughes

The Govt is being accused by Labour of using “smoke and mirrors” funding arrangements for completing the Waterview Connection and this will inevitably have …

Port Chairman calls for Govt action on ports

Port of Tauranga chairman, John Parker, appears on a collision course with transport Minister, Steven Joyce, on the role of Govt in reshaping the …

Infrastructure unit to broker deals

The new infrastructure unit based in the treasury will be expected to broker deals between investors and infrastructure projects, giving the private sector broader …

ARTA chairman contender for Auckland transition

Old allegiances break down in times of reform. Auckland Regional Transport Authority chairman, Mark Ford, a veteran of the city’s infrastructure services, is tipped …

Inter island cargo service study gets funding

A roll on-roll off cargo ferry service between New Plymouth and Nelson has just moved a step closer. The Govt is awarding $250,000 to …

Review pits motorists against truckies

Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, sums up the issues raised by the review of Road User Charges (RUCs) as “unexploded ordnance left over from the …

Govt buries Waterview tunnel option

The Govt has put the kybosh on the previous administration’s $2.77bn proposal for a twin-tunnel Waterview Connection saying it is too expensive, shaving more …

Winners and losers among regional airports

Air NZ has confirmed it has embarked on a review of its regional network to maintain competitiveness “in the current tough market.” It has …

Inter island cargo service study gets funding

A roll on-roll off cargo ferry service between New Plymouth and Nelson has just moved a step closer. The Govt is awarding $250,000 to …

Review pits motorists against truckies

Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, sums up the issues raised by the review of Road User Charges (RUCs) as “unexploded ordnance left over from the …

Govt buries Waterview tunnel option

The Govt has put the kybosh on the previous administration’s $2.77bn proposal for a twin-tunnel Waterview Connection saying it is too expensive, shaving more …

Winners and losers among regional airports

Air NZ has confirmed it has embarked on a review of its regional network to maintain competitiveness “in the current tough market.” It has …

Roskill link turns up heat on waterview

Uncertainty remains over how the new Mt Roskill motorway will eventually reach the Northwestern Motorway at Waterview putting renewed pressure on transport Minister Steven …

Joyce moves to streamline rail sector funding

Steve Joyce wants to address what he considers the present disjointed funding regime for rail but has not committed to any future ongoing level …

Freightways weathering financial downturn

Freightways MD, Dean Bracewell, says the company posting a 4% gain in nine-month profit, reflects its “resilient” business model buffering the company from recession. …

Above-ground Waterview link will “split community”

Labour’s controversial candidate for Mt Albert is at least getting into step with local sentiment on the Waterview extension, the last segment in Auckland’s …

Govt dithers on flight security measures

Cockpit doors on flights in NZ will be strengthened to prevent passengers attacking pilots, but other security measures remain up in the air because …

Transport sector sees dangers in RMA changes

Kiwirail and NZ Transport Agency are warning the Govt’s Resource Management Act changes designed to streamline big projects will cause delays, and could …

Pressure mounts on Ports of Auckland

NZ’s biggest container port is under pressure to show an improved financial return as owner Auckland Regional Holdings contemplates a $591.8m drop in income …

Road user charges require major overhaul – Friedlander

The Road Transport Forum has the scent of victory in its nostrils as Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, ponders the independent review of Road User …

Public views sought on $1Bn transport plan

Northland’s new draft local authority transport programme, which could ultimately see more than a billion dollars spent on the region’s transport needs over the …

Lack of planning co-ordination under fire

High profile Auckland regional councillor, Joel Cayford, has hit out at an alleged mismatch between transport and land-use planning for Auckland saying it is …

Qantas heads for losses, Air NZ revives

Are Qantas and Air NZ competing in the same air space? The Australian airline is cutting 1,750 jobs and capacity and deferring aircraft deliveries …

OECD lambasts KiwiRail purchase, shipping red tape

The OECD’s report on NZ is highly critical of the previous Govt’s decision to buy back the unprofitable rail and ferry operations now known …

Battle Over Gisborne-napier Rail Line Heats Up

The war of words over the future of the Gisborne-Napier railway is heating up with Labour MP Moana Mackey being accused by trucking companies …

Tunnel Approval Could Spark Capital Backlash

The Govt’s approval of the Victoria Park motorway tunnel in Auckland could spark a further round of attacks and counter attacks between the Wellington …

Focus Back On Kapiti Link Road – Joyce

Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, has asked the NZ Transport Agency to go back to first principles on the Western Link Road, the paper route …

NZTA Predicts Inaugural Deficit, Risks To Revenue

The NZ Transport Agency hasn’t yet celebrated its first birthday but is already preparing for a policy overhaul to better reflect National’s transport priorities. …

Councils Seek Clarity On Transport Direction

President of Local Government NZ, Lawrence Yule, says the about face in transport priorities signaled by the National Govt could pose problems for local …

Transport Policy Short-Sighted: Forum

The Sustainable Energy Forum has criticised the Govt’s plans to increase state highway funding and make highway construction the centrepiece of transport policy. Convenor …

ARC Grieves For Shunted Rail Plans

Auckland Regional Council Chairman, Mike Lee, says the Govt has “wrecked” the prospects of a viable commuter train system. His comments come after the …

Setback For Coastal Shipping As Fund Scuttled

Just days after announcing a $4.1bn boost in the State Highway construction budget, the Govt has sunk the Domestic Seafreight Development Fund announced by …

Airways Corp Profit Takes A Dive

Airways Corp. posted a 5% increase in revenue for the six months to Dec. 31, reflecting the arrival of Virgin Blue’s local unit Pacific …

Govt Buys Trains Direct, Bypassing Councils

The Govt will buy new electric commuter trains for Auckland and Wellington and have KiwiRail operate the trains rather than the respective regional councils. …

Northland Port Chairman Quits In Stoush

Northland Port Corp. chairman, Mike Daniel, has quit his job, angry and frustrated, after 14 years overseeing the port and property group. The final …

Highway Projects Queue Up For New Funding Pie

Six of the largest highway projects, including the Waikato Expressway, Christchurch Southern Motorway, State Highway 1 from Puhoi to Wellsford and Auckland’s Victoria Park …

Bio-Fuel Industry Needs Govt Backing

NZers will not get to use greener bio-fuels unless the Govt introduces legislation to replace the Biofuels Bill it dumped recently. This is according …

Dunedin Takes Steps To Encourage Rail, Sea Freight

Dunedin City Council staff may set up a freight group to look at ways of encouraging companies in and around the city to carry …

Joyce Pushes For Kapiti Coast Highway Upgrade

Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, is pushing ahead with a plan to upgrade State Highway One north of Wellington as far north as Levin to …

ARTA Pushes For $22bn Transport Spend-Up

Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) has announced a $22bn wish list for Auckland transport projects over the next 20 years to cope with the …

Few Companies Managing SC Carbon Emissions

Just 10% of companies are actively modelling their supply chain carbon footprints and have implemented successful sustainability initiatives. This is the findings of research …

Toll Still Getting Preferential Rates – KiwiRail

KiwiRail has admitted Toll is still getting preferential freight rates over competitors when it uses KiwiRail services three months after a sweetener to the …

Call To Scrap Inter-Island Rail Freight

The Govt should scrap plans to replace the inter-island rail ferries with vessels only able to carry cars and trucks. Cubic Transport Services GM, …

Govt Approves New KiwiRail Locos, Carriages

Finance Minister Bill English has reluctantly approved $115m to allow KiwiRail to buy 20 new Chinese-built locomotives and 17 locally manufactured passenger carriages to …

National Maintains Commitment To Expressway

Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, has renewed his Govt’s pledge to complete the Waikato Expressway in 10 years despite the financial constraints the Govt is …

Few Companies Managing SC Carbon Emissions

Just 10% of companies are actively modelling their supply chain carbon footprints and have implemented successful sustainability initiatives. This is the findings of research …

Call To Scrap Inter-Island Rail Freight

The Govt should scrap plans to replace the inter-island rail ferries with vessels only able to carry cars and trucks. Cubic Transport Services GM, …

Govt Approves New Kiwirail Locos, Carriages

Finance Minister Bill English has reluctantly approved $115m to allow KiwiRail to buy 20 new Chinese-built locomotives and 17 locally manufactured passenger carriages to …

“Shovel Ready” Infrastructure Projects Needed

The Govt should plan ahead and obtain advance design and environmental approvals for future infrastructure projects. The Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACENZ) President, …

Big Bill Looms For Govt To Replace Rail Ferries

The Govt is potentially going to have to find hundreds of millions of dollars to replace and or upgrade the aging inter-island Cook Strait …

City Council Slashes Transport Project Funding

Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury look to be heading for another showdown over the regional transport strategy. The city council’s taking the blowtorch …

Unions Hit Out At Road Focus Of Stimulus Package

The Govt’s transport infrastructure spend up plans have come under fire from groups representing the rail industry which claims the programme has all but …

Bridge Upgrades Improve Midland Rail Line

The reliability and efficiency of the Midland rail line is being improved significantly as result of a programme to replace and improve wooden bridges. …

Vege Growers Hit Out At Ongoing Fuel Surcharges

Vegetable growers are angry transport companies are still enforcing high fuel surcharges and warn if the practice continues many could be out of business …

RMA Reforms Will Speed Up Projects – Engineers

The Institute of Professional Engineers (IPENZ) has come out strongly in support for the Govt’s proposed RMA changes saying applicants will now have more …

Project Speed-Up Not Enough Says Lobby Group

NZ Council for Infrastructure Development CEO, Stephen Selwood, has hit out at the Govt’s infrastructure spending plan announced this week. Selwood says a sense …

Coastal Highway Group Say Project Still Viable

Proponents of the upgrade of the coastal highway north of Wellington, The Coastal Highway Group, says lack of a designation is not a major …

Freight Charges Need To Rise – Business Expert

Transport operators need to take a close look at their pricing strategies if they are to survive in the current market. Leading transport and …

Tribes Eye Stake In Airports, Roading Projects

Maori want a role in developing infrastructure projects such as toll roads, and not just driving the bulldozers but in investing and owning them …

Cost Blow-Out Could Bury Motorway Tunnel

Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, has heeded the advice of Treasury and transport officials in calling for a review of Auckland’s proposed Waterview Connection after …

NZ Company Thinking Big With Electric Vehicles

A fledgling Manawatu company is hoping to take a slice of the burgeoning electric commercial vehicle market worth potentially billions of dollars per annum. …

Budget Blowout On Canty Transport Projects

The cost of two of Christchurch’s biggest transport projects have ballooned by more than 60% to almost $280m up from an original estimate of …

Tauranga Defiant Over Rival’s Ambitions

The battle over Port of Tauranga’s container trade has further heated up with NZL being told in no uncertain terms by the port’s management …

Govt Could Go Full Bore On New Harbour Crossing

The Govt has given a strong indication it favours fast tracking a second Auckland harbour crossing, announcing the project could be included in its …

Concern Over Route Of Proposed City Rail Tunnel

Ontrack is being warned against rushing into a costly route protection study for a $1bn to $1.5bn inner Auckland rail tunnel ahead of a …

New Minister Casts Fresh Doubts On Gully Highway

Despite the Govt’s apparent commitment to a major road building programme, the future of Wellington’s much longed for Transmission Gully motorway looks even less …

Call For PPP Infrastructure Board Test For Govt

In what can be seen as an early test for the Govt’s commitment to public-private partnerships, it is being urged to appoint a public …

Credit Crisis Leads to Better Control on Freight Costs

The global financial crisis will lead to radical changes in the structure of financial controls in the supply chain, with 100% control from transport …

Cost Blowouts Throws Transport Plan Into Chaos

The fate of some major transport infrastructure projects planned for the greater Christ-church area now hangs in the balance. The problem is the total …

UK Study Backs ARTA Plans For Public Transport

A new study into UK transport has backed the more centralised transport management model the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is implementing in Auckland …

Oil Rollercoaster Tough Ride For Public Transport

Three months ago when oil prices were nudging $US150 a barrel all the talk regarding public transport operators was how they could cope with …

Automating Dimensional Data Gives Efficiency Gains

Large segments of the global cargo industry still do not have an operational process in place to take advantage of the value-added benefits obtainable …

Govt Change Necessary – Infratil Boss

Leading transport businessman, Lloyd Morrison, says a change of Govt “was really necessary” after what occurred during the last term of the Labour Govt. …

Political Rhetoric Backfires Over Expressway

Loose talk by National politicians over the Waikato Expressway appears to be coming back to haunt them already. Waikato’s new regional transport boss, Harry …

Infrastructure “Bomb” Looms In Rail For Key’s Team

John Key’s administration is a reluctant owner of the nation’s railway but probably wants to preserve a network which ensures dairy products, coal, logs …

DHL Says Small Gains Equals Big Carbon Savings

DHL has set up a new subsidiary Neutral Services, to improve the efficiency of both DHL’s and its customers’ supply chains. The move could …

Air NZ Seeks Island Govt Handouts

Air NZ is pushing for the Govts of Tonga and Samoa to help cover the losses on services it provides linking the countries with …

Heat On Nats Over Auckland Infrastructure

The votes have barely been counted and already Auckland leaders are looking for action over the city’s transport infrastructure. Auckland mayor, John Banks, is …

National Needs To Avoid Policy Mistakes Of The Past

Talk is cheap and it’s the easiest job in politics to be in Opposition as you don’t have to act on your words. With …

Perishable Cargoes Set To Grow

World trade in perishable refrigerated (reefer) cargo, the core of NZ’s exports, is forecast to grow to 215m tonnes by 2015. Nearly half the …

Engineers Add Voice To Infrastructure Spend Plea

Strong infrastructure investment is vital to ensure NZ survives the current economic crisis and emerges stronger and more competitive says the Institution of Professional …

Lyttelton, Otago Ports Explore Operational Merger

The integration of the South Island’s two largest ports is back on course. Lyttelton Port Company and Port Otago Ltd have signed a Memorandum …

More Work Needed To Get Ports Ship Shape

News this week of more signs some ports are moving towards co-ordinating operations is welcome but the fragmented and piecemeal nature of the changes …

US Pushes Developing Transport Fuel From Waste

Researchers at Purdue University are proposing a new “flexible” approach to producing alternative fuels from municipal solid wastes, agricultural wastes, forest residues and sewage …

Motorway Tunnel Cost Goes Up In Smoke

Pollution treatment equipment for vehicle fumes pumped from motorway tunnels through Waterview in Aucakland could be added to the project pushing up the cost …

Cheap Diesel If Govt Supports Lignite Mining

Solid Energy is turning up the heat on the Govt to give the green light to exploit the vast Southland-Otago lignite reserves claiming it …

Infrastructure Gets Its Place In The Political Sun

As the battle for the hearts and minds of voters continues to heat up as the election draws closer, infrastructure spending is looming as …

Forklift Cargo Scanner Boosts Security Efficiency

US company FreightScan, LLC, a leader in the development and deployment of innovative technology for the freight and logistics industry, has developed the world’s …

Shelve Waterview Motorway – Build Better PT

The Green Party is pushing for any future Govt to shelve the $1.9bn Waterview motorway tunnel and instead divert the money to expanding the …

Oil Shock Will Require Drastic Transport Changes

Drastic steps will be needed to curb NZ oil consumption in the coming years primarily in the transport sector if the country is to …

No Time For Complacency Over Falling Oil Prices

It is very easy to get lulled into a false sense of security with oil prices apparently in free fall at present. The price …

Survey Highlights Potential For SC Improvements

Improved collaboration and integration between third party logistics providers (3PLs) and their customers can lead to supply chain (SC) improvements in several key areas, …

Tags: green, supply chain, survey

'Free Articles' Archives