New container handler arrives at Gisborne port

A new container handler is the latest machine to be put to work at Eastland Port as it looks to provide an alternative to the roading network. Pictured with it are East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, Eastland Port chief executive Andrew Gaddum and general manager infrastructure and commercial Marty Bayley.

Eastland Port stands ready to support exporters with container capability at a time when regional infrastructure remains vulnerable.

The recent arrival of a container handling machine - part of a $5 million Government investment in the port - marks “a significant lift” in its ability to move containerised cargo, Eastland Port said.

“With continued uncertainty around the roading network in all directions of our region, the port is positioned to provide a reliable alternative supply chain through the East Coast,” port chief executive Andrew Gaddum said.

“The investment is about providing certainty for regional businesses. Exporters need reliability. With key transport corridors under pressure, the ability to ship containers directly out of Tairāwhiti gives businesses another viable route to market.

“We are ready to support commercial volumes and to work with growers, exporters and freight partners who want resilient, regionally based solutions.”

The top lifter represented about 20% of the funding awarded to the port, he said.

“The balance will be used for structural upgrades of Wharf 8 to allow the mobile harbour cranes to run the full length of the wharf and further mobile plant once a coastal shipping service has been secured.”

The enhanced capability was already being put to use, with kiwifruit exports set to move through the port in the coming weeks, he said.

“We are excited about the upcoming kiwifruit season. The next step is industry support and we hope Zespri will work with us to ensure Tairāwhiti growers can export increasing volumes through their local port and utilise our new container handling ability.”

Seeka chief executive Michael Franks said the company was delighted the port had made the investment in infrastructure. It was now looking to invest further in local fruit-handling infrastructure and capacity to enable more locally grown produce to be handled in the region.

“The fragility of roading infrastructure was a fact and it made absolute sense to build local capacity and infrastructure to deliver economic resilience.”

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick said the equipment was “exactly the kind of example of resilience and diversification that our region needs”.

“As we move to new technologies and strengthen New Zealand’s supply chain, we are bolstering productivity and efficiency, which leads to greater economic return for our region.”

Kirkpatrick said the $30 million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund aimed to support the coasting shipping network around New Zealand.

“The fund invests in projects which enhance the sector’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from events that could disrupt New Zealand’s freight system.

“I am pleased that Eastland Port is one of these and the new equipment brings another option for our freight sector. Also for the suppliers, farmers, orchardists [and] wood technology manufacturers, who will need transport options to expand our exports and grow our economic return, particularly in a region where transportation disruption can be a challenge.”

Gaddum said the port’s focus remained on partnership.

“To support a regular vessel call we need to build a base volume of around 50 to 60 containers per visit, with a similar number of empties returning on the vessel.”