Port expansion plan to help keep up with Auck freight growth

26 January 2012

Port expansion plan vital to keep pace with Auckland’s freight growth

From a road freight stand point, expanding the Ports of Auckland is inevitable if Auckland is to have a port capable of efficiently keeping pace with the increase in container freight traffic sourced by local businesses, says National Road Carrier executive director David Aitken.

“Around 61% of all imports through the port and 67% of exports are destined for or come from businesses located in urban Auckland, with almost all carried by road freight on a journey of less than 35 kilometres. That is why having a container port close to where the goods are destined or come from is so important to Auckland’s prosperity.”

Recent research commissioned by the road transport industry estimated an 85% increase in container freight traffic for the 15 years between 2005 and 2020 and a doubling by 2030. This was based on a projected growth rate of 3% per year for the period 2010 – 2020. If the Auckland Council’s economic growth projections for Auckland seeking annual economic growth of 5% occurred this would mean the freight traffic projections would be met much earlier.

“We strongly agree with the Auckland Council’s draft plans giving an unequivocal commitment to the port and seeking to significantly increase the region’s liveability by lifting economic growth and activity. Expanding the capacity of the port will be essential to meet this expected growth.

“For our industry, these assurances send important signals of confidence and give certainty to the idea that Auckland wants to have a world-class port for servicing the next generation of mega-carriers. It means we too can look at investing in the jobs and trucking infrastructure needed to support a world-class efficient freight logistics system – to provide an efficient freight service from factory door to wharf side.”

“From our perspective, the debate we need is not about whether the port container wharves should be expanded further out into the Waitemata Harbour as against upgrading Cooks Wharf, but ensuring we don’t lose sight of the basic message that Auckland is a port city whose commercial and freight sectors are its back bone.”

ENDS

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