AUCKLAND: Ports of Auckland is opening an intermodal freight hub nearby the Port of Tauranga in a bid to attract exporters and gain improved access to overseas markets.
Tony Gibson, CEO of Ports of Auckland, said that the new inland port would provide Bay of Plenty exporters with an “easy-to-access choice of ports” to use, stating “competition is a good thing”.
Transport logistics experts Toll Group will operate the Bay of Plenty freight hub in Mount Maunganui on behalf of the port authority after building the remaining infrastructure required at the site with landowner Triton Pacific and the port.
While 1.4 ha will be developed initially, there is an option to further develop capacity. The land is adjacent to a rail siding and will be developed to include a rail connection, container handling facilities and other value added logistics services. It is expected to be operating by the end of 2015.
Gibson added: “Our Bay of Plenty freight hub will help make New Zealand exporters more competitive on the world stage by making their access to global markets more efficient and easy.”
The port now has a network of intermodal freight hubs which includes Wiri, South Auckland, Longburn, Manawatu and now Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty.
“The development of Ports of Auckland’s third intermodal freight hub is part of a concerted strategy to invest in a network of freight hubs across the North Island to both improve options to New Zealand exporters, reduce their costs,” said Gibson.
He continued: “It also enables us to reduce excessive empty container movements and better balance the volume of exported goods with imported goods through our Port.”
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