All eyes on trial shipment of logs

The coastal vessel Anatoki has been a regular caller at Wanganui's port and is expected to be part of a bid to revive trade through the city's waterfront. PHOTO/FILE

A trial shipment of logs from Wanganui to Napier in coming weeks will clearly signal the intent of the new joint venture which has taken over running the city's port operation.

Whanganui Port is leaseholder of the soon-to-be upgraded wharves and infrastructure at Castlecliff and will be actively chasing business.

The company is a partnership between Wanganui District Council and the Tupoho Trust representing local iwi, set up to develop the port's facilities and boost trade over the wharves.

The logs will be loaded on to the 62m Southern Tiare, a coastal and Pacific Island vessel owned by Pacific Direct Line.

Since 2008 the shallow-drafted Anatoki has been a regular visitor to Wanganui, unloading dolomite from the South Island and backloading with urea from Taranaki and bound for the south.

In May this year, while the Anatoki was undergoing its survey, it was replaced by the Rangatira which unloaded dolomite on three occasions in May.

Rowan McGregor, Wanganui District Council property manager, said the Southern Tiare was a much bigger vessel than either the Anatoki or Rangatira.

"It's not bringing a cargo to unload here but is loading logs bound for Napier. It's a trial shipment at this stage." Wanganui mayor Annette Main said the port still offered potential and shallow-draft coastal shipping had its role in the country's transport system.

While the region's maturing log harvest offered potential, incoming cargo over the waterfront could include barley for the Malteurop malting plant in Marton, cement and stock food, all from the South Island. Ms Main said the port company would also look at opportunities from the recently announced inland port cargo hub at the former Longburn freezing works near Palmerston North, as well as the expanding inland hub around the revived rail link into Balgownie.

"There's growing pressure on NZ roads with total freight movements forecast to double by 2040." She said a return to coastal shipping was timely as industries looked to move cargo more efficiently and cost-effectively.

"This is a good time to invest in the port upgrade and, with astute management [under the port company], we're sure we'll receive positive interest from many quarters."

Wanganui District Holdings chairman Matt Doyle said income from harbour endowments gave the council the ability to fund its share of the port and there were also enough assets to borrow against if that was necessary.

"We'll bring in at least one director and management with relevant experience and contacts in the port sector," Mr Doyle said.