Calls On Govt To Sort Out Hub Port Issue
August 28th, 2008
Central Govt has to “initiate economic directives” to develop a super port in the upper North Island because parochial Councils will never agree where it should be. CEO of Pacifica Shipping, Rod Grout has added his voice again to those saying there needs to be rationalisation in the port sector. Grout will not say where he thinks the hub port should be, but he is clear Govt intervention is needed for one large and efficient port in the upper North Island to meet the country’s future shipping requirements.
Local Bodies A Handicap. Grout says, “If NZ wants regular service from the next generation of post-Panamax ships, we have no choice but to start planning soon for a single port of call that will attract these vessels.” He believes it is most unlikely rival port companies will willingly concede cargo throughput, given their parochial stances on regional development. The situation is made worse by local bodies retaining ownership and control of many ports in the sector. “…it is obvious NZ has too many ports committing large capital amounts to compete for fewer and larger overseas vessels.”
Inefficiency Concerns. Unless rationalisation occurs, the alternative will be fewer overseas ships calling at NZ’s ports, making them even more financially vulnerable than they are now. Without a Govt-led initiative for one superport as the country’s focal point for offshore cargo, he fears transport inefficiency will remain a significant burden on economic prosperity. Currently the largest container ships which call at NZ ports can carry 4100 standard sized containers. The next generation of vessels to reach NZ are expected to carry up to 6000 containers.
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