Ports Handle More Overseas Cargo

Overseas Cargo Statistics: Twelve months ended June 2000

Ports Handle More Overseas Cargo

The volumes and values of overseas cargo loaded and unloaded rose in the year ended June 2000 compared to the previous year, latest Statistics New Zealand figures show.

Influencing the increases were the lower New Zealand dollar, rising oil prices, good climatic conditions resulting in an increase in agricultural products for export and a strengthening in demand for New Zealand's primary products particularly from Asia.

The volume of export cargo loaded at New Zealand ports rose by 12.3 per cent in the year ended June 2000. Most seaports recorded an increase in the weight of overseas cargo loaded compared to the year ended June 1999.

Tauranga recorded the greatest increase, up 0.9 million tonnes to 6.2 million tonnes. Forestry exports were the main contributor to the increase followed by dairy exports. The rise was aided by the opening last year of Metroport, Tauranga's inland port facility at Onehunga, which has enabled Tauranga to capture more cargo from the Auckland region. The Port of Auckland recorded the largest decrease in the weight of cargo loaded, down 0.2 million tonnes. The greatest declines in weight occurred in casein products and forestry products.

Significant increases in the weight of logs loaded were recorded at the ports of Whangarei and Napier, both up 0.3 million tonnes and Nelson and Invercargill, up 0.2 million tonnes compared to the year ended June 1999.

The volume of import cargo unloaded at New Zealand's ports for the year ended June 2000, increased by 6.8 per cent compared to the year ended June 1999. The annual volume figures for cargo unloaded have shown a steady increase since June 1997.

The Port of Auckland recorded the largest increase in weight unloaded, up 0.3 million tonnes compared to the previous June year. The commodities that showed the largest increases in weight unloaded were plaster and glass bottles.

The seaports of Lyttelton, Wellington, and Tauranga also showed significant increases in weight unloaded. Motor spirit was the main contributor to the increases in Lyttelton and Wellington. An upturn in the agricultural sector impacted on the volumes unloaded at Tauranga, with fertilizers and related products recording the greatest increase in weight unloaded.

Ian Ewing

Deputy Government Statistician

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