Log ships Norse Antwerp (left) and Yangtze Keeper marked a milestone moment at Eastland Port when they slipped smoothly alongside the wharf on Monday. Photo / Supplied
Log ships Norse Antwerp (left) and Yangtze Keeper marked a milestone moment at Eastland Port when they slipped smoothly alongside the wharf on Monday. Photo / Supplied
Two 180-metre log ships have berthed end to end at Eastland Port docks 7 and 8 for the first time as the Twin Berth project comes to full fruition.
Log boats Norse Antwerp and Yangtze Keeper marked the milestone moment when they slipped smoothly alongside the wharf on Monday.
“It’sa pretty impressive sight,” port chief executive Andrew Gaddum said in a statement.
“Twin Berth represents the port’s biggest infrastructure upgrades in more than a century and has been well over a decade in the making.
“Now it’s nearing final completion, we’re able to provide more flexibility and efficiency for local exporters, including horticulture, agriculture and the forestry industry, as well as cruise ship operators.
The original Twin Berth plans evolved over the past few years as the port considered budgets, operational efficiencies and environmental factors.
The new Twin Berth project is the port's biggest infrastructure upgrade in over 100 years. Photo / Supplied
The intention was to be able to accommodate 185m and 200m ships simultaneously, but after running the costs and working with the design engineers and customers, the port team came up with “Twin Berth lite”, Gaddum said.
“This allows two 180-metre vessels to berth at once. The completed infrastructure gives us 90% of the initially scoped operational facilities and flexibility at around 10% of the original proposed cost.
“It sets the region up for the foreseeable future with all consents in place and the optionality to further expand in response to growing demand.
“It has also ensured a lower environmental impact while introducing a number of environmental innovations,” Gaddum said.
These included working with hapū on the redesign of Wharf 7 to protect the habitat for the rua kourā (crayfish nursery) and establishing stormwater treatment processes across the port.
Gaddum thanked everyone who contributed to the project.
“I’d also like to acknowledge iwi, hapū and the wider community, who we’ve consulted with throughout the long and sometimes challenging consenting process.”
During the construction phase, Eastland Port had a strong focus on using local contractors and resources, he said.
“Ritchie Civil was the head contractor on the final stage of the project and has done a great job for us – delivering fit-for-purpose regional infrastructure with their uniquely Gizzy expertise.”
