Rail link to Auckland’s Wiri Inland Port complete

Rail link to Ports of Auckland’s Wiri Inland Port complete; first train due Wednesday

Construction of the new rail link between the Port of Auckland and the Wiri Inland Port is complete, with the first train due to arrive at Wiri at 1am on Wednesday 3 February.

Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen said completion of the rail exchange was a major step forward for the port company and for the Auckland region.

“New Zealand needs top quality infrastructure and a flexible mix of sea, road and rail transport options, if our economy is to grow,” said Mr. Madsen.

“Adding a rail option to the Wiri Inland Port brings Auckland and the upper North Island is definitely a step in the right direction.”

“This is about bringing the seaport right to the doorstep of businesses in South Auckland. Exporters and importers will be able to drop off and pick up containers without having to negotiate the Auckland motorways.”

There are also big potential benefits for the community through reduced road congestion, with the rail link forecast to eventually save up to 2.5 million truck kilometres per year – the equivalent of 100,000 central city truck trips.

Mr. Madsen said carbon emission modeling by Ports of Auckland had shown big potential savings for businesses close to the Wiri Inland Port.

“A lot of our current customers are based within eight kilometres of the inland port. By using the rail link to the seaport, this group will be able to reduce the carbon emissions of transporting their containers by up to 25%,” he said.

KiwiRail Chief Executive Jim Quinn said the Wiri Inland Port rail link was a natural addition to the rail network given its proximity to the North Island main trunk line.

“It’s logical to connect more export industries to major ports to take advantage of rail’s natural strength in moving heavy goods efficiently,” said Mr Quinn.

“The Wiri link is an example of an initiative to provide the efficiencies our customers are seeking in moving their goods. We are pleased to be able to provide the infrastructure for industries and regions to realize their full potential.

“It’s all part of the development of a leaner and more efficient national supply chain which benefits the whole New Zealand economy.”

Initially KiwiRail will run four services of 23 wagons a week in each direction between Wiri and the Auckland seaport.

Construction of the rail exchange, which began in June 2009, was undertaken by KiwiRail and Brian Perry Civil. The job included three rail sidings, 2,000m of rail track and a hardstand about the size of the Britomart station.

The format means two trains can be worked simultaneously with a third track available for repositioning locomotives.

The rail exchange, which has been jointly funded by KiwiRail and Ports of Auckland, will be formally opened at a ceremony in March.

Ports of Auckland has been operating the 10ha Wiri site as an inland port for six years, using a truck-based shuttle service to link it with the Waitemata seaport.

In conjunction with NZL Group, Ports of Auckland has established CONLINXX, a new subsidiary company, to operate the Wiri Inland Port. CONLINXX commenced operations on 1 February.

Mr Madsen said future Wiri operations would combine road, rail and sea freight options, offering customers a seamless and efficient service.

The 5ha of land the rail exchange is on is owned by KiwiRail. Ports of Auckland owns the adjacent 10ha inland port.

ENDS

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