November 6 - The Ports of Auckland in New Zealand has released its draft 30-year master plan which outlines port development projects intended to increase capacity and berth space until Auckland Council, the port owner, finds a new port location.
According to the Ports of Auckland's master plan website, which can be viewed here, while the container terminal has enough berth space, the general cargo area is under pressure. This area handles cars and other vehicles, heavy machinery, bulk goods and project cargo, such as wind turbines.
The port plans to complete the construction of a deepwater berth and outlines a project to remove all of Marsden Wharf and part of a wharf known as B1, to bring three redundant wharves back into use and create nearly 1 km of general cargo berth space.
"We are also proposing to build a new wharf running east-west along the north end of Bledisloe Terminal, in line with the recommendations of Auckland Council's Port Future Study. It will be a piled structure in line with our commitment to no further reclamation, but it will reach an extra 13 m north into the harbour," explained Tony Gibson, Ports of Auckland chief executive.
The master plan also includes the installation of three new cranes and the automation of the container terminal.
Gibson added: "Our owner, Auckland Council, is undertaking a project to find a new port location. But shifting a port takes time. Finding the best location, getting consent, securing funding and undertaking construction will take decades. In the meantime, we need to ensure that we can continue to deliver freight for our import and export customers, and to Aucklanders."
