Cargo skipper sees potential in port

Doug Smith of the Anatoki pictured at Whanganui port on Friday.

A businessman who is increasingly using Whanganui's port to ship cargo is keen to see the extensive upgrade come to fruition.

Doug Smith, general manager of the ship Anatoki, moved to Whanganui in November and, since his return, has completed four trips to Timaru and back each month.

Mr Smith said the Whanganui port works for his ship because it is not time sensitive. He operates the only "tramping service" in the country, meaning he takes one job at a time
shipping different sorts of cargo, and it also means there is no time pressure.

"There are opportunities for growth from other freight volumes, but they need to be non-time sensitive," he said.

The Port Revitalisation Team has released a draft masterplan that would transform Whanganui's port - and which includes increased opportunities for carrying freight. Now it is wanting public feedback on the plan.

A man with first-hand experience of the port, Mr Smith said: "If you can justify the dredging expenses as well as the infrastructure costs then, it will be worth it.

"But you also have to have a lot of freight to justify it.

"If prices were attractive enough and the freight services were available in Whanganui, there is opportunity for the port to grow - but, again, it needs to be non-time sensitive vessels."

He said there were weather challenges coming in and out of the port and it could be difficult to manage and risky for freight ships with a deadline.

"The port is tidal so you are forced to work with the tides and the sand bars can often get filled from strong westerly winds."

Formerly based in Christchurch, the Anatoki is now the only freighting ship using the Whanganui port. It can carry up to 800 tones of heavy cargo which is the equivalent of 22 trucks and trailers.