Port invests further in Sulphur Point terminal

Port of Tauranga has announced today that it is to buy a seventh ship-to-shore gantry crane for its Sulphur Point fleet to handle growing container volumes.

The Port will also expand its fleet of straddle carriers and increase the capacity of its rail terminal at Sulphur Point as it is increasingly used as a hub port for North Island importers and exporters.

Today's announcements are on top of nearly $150 million worth of capital works already under way or planned at the terminal, including a 170 metre wharf extension.

Port of Tauranga Chief Executive, Mark Cairns, says the on-going investment in infrastructure will help maintain and enhance the Port's world class container handling productivity.

"Since the middle of last year, we have secured seven new shipping services, which will underpin the growth in container volumes into the future", says Mr Cairns.

"It is vital to us that we maintain and enhance our customer service and productivity, and we need to invest in the equipment and people required to do that."

Reorganisation of the rail sidings at Sulphur Point over the next few months will also create space to allow two trains at once to be safely and quickly loaded and unloaded.

The sidings are used by trains servicing MetroPort, Port of Tauranga's inland port in Auckland, as well as general freight trains delivering cargo to the port.