WASHINGTON: Ports of Auckland is to pack on more freight links to get cargo to and from the lower North Island. The port said it would work with KiwiRail to provide a daily rail link between the Auckland sea port and its inland ports at Wiri, South Auckland, and Longburn, Manawatu.
The service will help both importers and exporters affected by the partial closure of Wellington’s Centreport due to Monday’s earthquake. “We are pleased to be able to put on this service to fill the gap created as a result of the recent Kaikoura earthquake, and we will keep it running until Centreport is able to get back on their feet,” Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson said. Details of the service will be announced next week. Centreport said it was still partially operational, and that ships were coming in and rail cargo was going out.
“We had to suspend operations to conduct engineering assessments of all our infrastructure and buildings amid adverse weather conditions, while much of the CBD was also closed for safety reasons,” chief executive Derek Nind said. “By Monday night, we managed to get ferries up and running and we’ve also got the Seaview oil terminal open and a rail line working so we can begin moving freight off the port to waiting customers.” Chairman Lachie Johnstone said the port was a key infrastructure asset for the lower North Island and the link between the North Island and South Island.
