Bell Tolls for New Zealand supply chains

MEDIA RELEASE – for immediate release

10 May 2008

Bell Tolls for New Zealand supply chains

The Government’s buy-back of the country’s rail network offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lay the foundations for a truly integrated national supply chain network capable of addressing carbon footprint issues.

That’s the message from Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders’ Federation (CBAFF) president Willie van Heusden on the eve of CBAFF’s annual conference in Rotorua. The conference’s theme is The Carbon Challenge – The Rising Temperature of Global Freight.

“The bell really is tolling because we can not afford to squander this opportunity to take a long-term, integrated approach to infrastructure and supply chain solutions in New Zealand,” said Mr van Heusden.

“The purchase will only benefit NZ Inc if the millions of dollars in investment the rail network requires becomes a reality. A modern, expanding rail network that links seamlessly with our ports and inland ports is urgently needed.

“And such investment must be co-ordinated with a long-term and realistic coastal shipping policy. No government can afford to continue taking a piecemeal approach to this issue. Let’s hope further infrastructure funding will be as readily available from the Government coffers. Our very economic future depends on it.”

CBAFF’s annual conference opens in Rotorua on Wednesday (May 14) and features leading industry commentators looking at the long-term threats and opportunities carbon emissions will have on New Zealand’s freight and export sectors.

Speakers include:

• Steffen Steensbaek, Maresk Logistics Australia – Carbon Footprint Impacts on the Supply Chain
• Rosstan Mazey, ZESPRI – Development and Implementation of ZESPRI’s Sustainability Strategy
• MP David Bennet, National’s Associate Spokesperson, Transport – Impacts of the Carbon Footprint on Transport at Home and Abroad
• Steve Stuart, MAF – Biosecurity NZ – Carbon Footprint and the Impact on NZ Trade from a MAF Perspective

A 90-minute Industry Forum comprising Mark Cairns (Port of Tauranga) Rod Grout (Pacific Shipping), John Calder Air NZ International Cargo) and Simon Tapper (Tapper Transport) will consider The Carbon Challenge – Differing Sector Perspectives.

“Climate Change has been on the lips of many in recent times. We are going to dispel some of the myths that are out there and provide ideas, opportunities and solutions to ensure that New Zealand’s freight logistics sector is able to successfully meet these future challenges,” said Mr van Heusden.

ENDS

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