Wall of wood on the move as logging trucks head for Napier Port

The "wall of wood" lining Bridge St yesterday morning in Napier. Photo / Supplied

The queuing of logging trucks through Ahuriri heading towards Napier Port is a sign that the long-forecast Wall of Wood is "well and truly here", according to a port manager.

But the queue, around a weigh-station off Bridge St, is also a sign of steps being taken to avert major disruption for other road users as the tonnage increases, already expected to be a quarter up on the records set last year.

Road users had previously complained of a gridlock as trucks queued at the port gates, blocking traffic between the Ahuriri and Marine Parade beachfronts.

Tonnage in the current financial year is forecast to be 25 per cent up on the last year's record 1.6 million tonnes - it's expected to hit 2 million tonnes for the first time.

And the number of ships being loaded this year will be more than 10 per cent up on last year, with 128 ships scheduled for the year compared with 115 in 2017.

Napier Port general cargo manager Mark Babbington said the long-predicted "Wall of Wood" is "well and truly here."

"We are very busy but we are prepared and we're not seeing congestion at our gate or across the port," he said.

"Pinch-points further up the road have been identified and we have been in discussion with port users about how those issues can be resolved."

The port is already seeing the growth in truck volumes which has been forecast to almost double by 2026.

Mr Babbington said the port has been working with stakeholders on what that growth means for the region and how local authorities can ensure Hawke's Bay has the infrastructure to support it.

"Ensuring the Ahuriri bypass can cope is central to that discussion."