Less Talk, More Action Needed On Ports
August 28th, 2008
The latest verbal skirmishes between NZ’s two largest container ports is yet another indication of talk taking precedence over action when it comes to rationalising the country’s too numerous export ports. Ports of Auckland recently announced its desire to purchase Port of Tauranga’s container terminal but this move is motivated more in terms of self-interest than national interest. It’s long-term aim is to close its rival facility down and to concentrate all upper North Island container traffic through is own facilities in Auckland thus boosting revenue streams.
Space Constrained. It is apparent compared with major new container port developments overseas, both Ports of Auckland and Tauranga’s Sulphur Point terminals are cramped sites and in the case of Auckland increasingly constrained by the growing spread of apartments in close proximity to the wharves. Ports of Auckland might be able to cater for growth over the next 20 years but what about 40 or 60? We need to have a long-term deep water port strategy and this means looking to Marsden Point. There, land and water depth are in abundance and it would be relatively easy to plan for a port capable of handling 10m TEUs per annum as and when the need arises. This of course would need to be undertaken with a corresponding upgrade and extension of the rail network south to Auckland and improved coastal shipping connections to the rest of NZ. When will any Govt take the lead and make this happen? Sooner rather than later is the answer. Is any politician listening?
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