Ports of Auckland boss Tony Gibson appointed to Marsden

Ports of Auckland boss Tony Gibson appointed to Marsden Maritime board

By Paul McBeth

April 4 (BusinessDesk) - Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson has joined the board of Marsden Maritime Holdings, which owns half of Northport in Whangarei.

The appointment is effective immediately, with Gibson replacing Peter Griffiths who left at the end of March, the company said in a statement. Gibson's appointment keeps the company's board at six, the statutory requirement for designated port companies. Shareholders will vote on the appointment at the next annual meeting in October.

Ports of Auckland owns about 19.9 percent of Marsden Maritime, with Northland Regional Council holding 54 percent. Marsden Maritime jointly owns Northport with Port of Tauranga.

"We’re delighted to welcome Tony to the board, bringing as he does a wealth of experience in port and associated companies, including marina developments and transport logistics," chair John Goulter said. "He understands these industries very well and we look forward to his inputs contributing to the ongoing success of Marsden Maritime Holdings."

The move comes as Northport's future comes under political scrutiny in a review of the Upper North Island Supply Chain, which will investigate the feasibility of shifting Auckland's port operations to Whangarei. Junior government coalition partner New Zealand First campaigned on moving container operations to the Northland city in an effort to revitalise the province's economy.

Marsden Maritime shares were unchanged at $5.35, and have slipped 1.5 percent so far this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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