Mr Cowie says most feedback on the proposed dredging programme supported the economic opportunities but some groups, including divers and recreational fishers, raised concerns about potential impacts from dredged material.
The initial proposal was to deposit dredged material at designated inshore sights, with sandy material deposited close to Westshore to help renourish the eroding beach with sand.
"We know this project will allow Hawke's Bay's economy to thrive but we also know we want to do it in a way that doesn't negatively impact on our marine environment.
"We have a regular maintenance dredging programme and we know from independent studies of those that they have minimal, short-term impacts. We also know that the potential volume of dredging material from the later stages of this project is different, so we've done additional studies.
"While they too indicate only minimal impact, we think it's prudent in the long term to look at alternate locations. We simply want to be absolutely confident that the final proposed location is the best disposal site from an environmental and community perspective. To do that we need a clear understanding of sediment movement, including the effectiveness of renourishment."
He said fertiliser ship Molly Manx was the ship with the deepest draft visiting Napier at 12.2m. The deepest allowable was 12.4m.
The Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to visit New Zealand, had a draft of 9 metres. Berthing Ovation was a feat Port of Auckland was unable to accomplish.
"When it comes to accommodating cruise ships, the issue is more about the length and availability of a berth. In terms of availability, we rarely have the capacity to take two cruise ships at a time, so we are forced to turn away five to six ship calls a season. In terms of length, we managed to fit the 348-metre Ovation in, but we are already planning ahead for the next class of vessel, the Oasis class, which are 360 metres long."
He said Napier Port was regularly voted the best port experience by cruise ship passengers "due to the experience we provide on the wharf and the attractions in Napier city and Hawke's Bay".
Napier Port puts on an Art Deco-themed welcome for cruise passengers, with vintage cars on the wharf.
"On departure, we have the Twin City Stompers playing. For the Ovation, we even had a flyover by a vintage Tiger Moth."
With passengers spending on average $200 per day, including ship costs, he said cruising was expected to inject about $20m into the Hawke's Bay economy this season.
"We expect to surpass this in 2018-19 with current bookings of 66 cruise ships, 115,000 passengers and 48,000 crew visiting."
■ For more information on the proposed wharf development visit projects.napierport.co.nz/the-project/
