Metroport in Auckland to get expansion

Port of Tauranga is spending about $300,000 to expand its Metroport operation in Auckland to meet business growth.

The tarmac at the inland port at Onehunga is being increased by more than half its existing size - from 2 to 3.5 hectares.

An extra 450 container slots will be added and the road and rail exchanges will be separated to relieve congestion at peak times.

Metroport is operated in partnership with Tranz Rail, which is providing the extra land.

Port of Tauranga chief executive Jon Mayson said that due to increased cargo volumes from six customers and mid-week services, more space and flexibility was needed at Metroport.

The inland port now handled about 55,000 TEUs (20 foot equivalent units) - more than double the volume from when it started in June 1999.

"We've really outgrown the original footprint of Metroport when we started two years ago with one customer and an annual forecast of 20,000 TEUs," Mr Mayson said.

"Most importantly we expect to get greater efficiencies and further reduce our truck turnaround times," he said.

"Separating the road/rail exchange will also speed train turn-time which is important to maintain schedules."

Earlier this year, in an agreement with Tranz Rail, Metroport was extended from a weekend service to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation.

That move was needed to actively seek extra cargo volumes from existing and new customers, and was a key factor in FESCO New Zealand Express Line deciding in March to use Metroport for its service to the Far East, Mr Mayson said.

The expansion of Metroport was under way and would be complete by the end of this month.

"We expect that there will be noticeable benefits for our import and export customers, and plenty of capacity for further expansion," Mr Mayson said.

Yesterday the world's largest shipping line, Maersk Sealand, announced it would call at Tauranga for its new fixed-day fortnightly service to North America and Latin America, which starts in September. It was still deciding between Tauranga and Auckland for the return import service.

Port of Tauranga commercial manager Graeme Marshall said it was likely Metroport would be used if Tauranga was chosen by Maersk Sealand for the import service, although the volumes of imports were not yet known.

Mr Mayson said the port's import business was growing and most of it went to Auckland via Metroport. The major imports were petroleum and fertiliser products as well as manufactured goods.

Mr Mayson said there were no immediate plans to take on more staff because of the increased export container movements the Maersk Sealand deal would generate. It was expected the port's current staff could cope with the increase in business.

However, as cargo movements through the port increased it did create employment opportunities now and then.

In the past couple of years, increases in cargo movements at the port's Sulphur Point container terminal had generated about 50 or 60 permanent jobs, ranging from straddle drivers and servicemen to crane drivers and container yard staff, Mr Mayson said.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES