Back to business as usual at the port

PROGRESS: The cart-in of logs to Eastland Port has been trucking along steadily since harvesting operations resumed last week. The daily rate has returned to pre-lockdown levels. Pictured in port is the logger Bunun Ace, which is taking on up to 30,000 tonnes. Picture by Paul Rickard

The cart-in rate of logs to Eastland Port has now reached pre-lockdown levels again and Eastland Port and its stakeholders have made progress with reducing the shipping backlog.

As of today seven log ships were anchored off Gisborne and the Bunun Ace continues to load alongside the Gisborne wharf.

The port was given dispensation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to continue loading through the Level 4 lockdown, and last week due to shortages of stock in its off-site storage areas, dispensation was also granted to truck logs out of skid sites across the district.

Harvesting resumed when the district went to Level 3 lockdown.

“Our focus now is cementing the efficiency gains made before the lockdown,” said Eastland Group chief operating officer Andrew Gaddum.

“With these in play we will see ship waiting times return to normal levels, which is important as the weather warms up and harvesting crews get back into full swing,” Mr Gaddum said.

Eastland Port had 10 ships call last month and they took away a total of 234,000 tonnes of logs from the region.

“This is a solid result considering a third of the month was impacted by weather and Covid restrictions.”

The Bunun Ace will load 28,000-30,000 tonnes and has been scheduled to leave some time this week.