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Port Taranaki in Upgraded Hamburg Süd Service 21 August, 2007 Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News Port Taranaki's reputation as a major export port has just received a real boost with the announcement another big container shipping line will soon begin calling at New Plymouth. Hamburg Sud, the second-largest container line in New Zealand, is to include Port Taranaki in a new fixed day weekly service to Asia from October. Significantly, New Plymouth will be the last port of call before the Hamburg Sud vessels depart on their 10-day voyage to Yokohama - the perfect scenario for Port Taranaki to become the point of export for perishable cargoes from throughout the lower North Island. Not only that, but after visiting Yokohama the ships will then call at Kobe in Japan, Shanghai in China and Hong Kong before heading back to New Zealand. "That's perfect - it means the port will be in the position to export all the time-sensitive cargoes to those markets," said Port Taranaki Ltd's business development manager Jon Hacon. Port Taranaki chief executive Roy Weaver hailed the news as wonderful, and underlined the importance of the port's decision to embark on its $25 million harbour deepening project. "It means the big shipping companies can call at other New Zealand ports to load containers, then make New Plymouth the final call where they can top up their loads without worrying about the depth of draughts or the effects of tides," he said. Last financial year, Port Taranaki handled a record 58,900 containers, 21% up on the year before. "It's a perfect fit. It will complement our existing container services, none of which go directly to Japan," he said. The upgraded New Zealand and Asia (ANZL) Service will feature 5 new buildings of the MIPO 1800 teu class with a northbound capacity of 1250 teu, 400 reefer plugs and a service speed of 21 knots. It will provide the most comprehensive express service in the trade between New Zealand and Asia — and also offers an inbound Trans Tasman leg from Brisbane. The full port rotation will be: Tauranga – Lyttleton – New Plymouth – Yokohama – Kobe – Shanghai – Hong Kong – Brisbane – Tauranga. Additional origins and destinations throughout Asia will be available through connections to the expanded Hamburg Sud network. The new vessels are tailor made for this trade and this further enhancement of the service by Hamburg Sud underlines their commitment to provide customers with a fast, direct shipping alternative between New Zealand and Asia. Both Tasman Orient and Hapag Lloyd will be partners in this service on a slot charter basis. June 28, 2007 Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News Report Gives Good Oil on Asset Taranaki-owned Port Taranaki was yesterday described as a priceless asset for the region, dramatically proving the worth of its remaining in local ownership. The description, from Venture Taranaki chief executive Stuart Trundle, comes in the wake of release of a new economic impact report that shows the port closely tied with industries that annually turn over almost $6.3 billion, generate $2.2 billion in gross domestic product, and employ close to 19,000 staff. The independent report, commissioned by Venture Taranaki and prepared by Wellington economic consultant Berl, was released at a Taranaki Regional Council meeting yesterday. The council is the port's 100% shareholder. "The port is a key participant in 43% of Taranaki's GDP and influences one-third of regional employment. That's fantastic for an asset 100% owned by the Taranaki community." The report shows that while Port Taranaki and its activity employs 1485 people and contributes $290 million to the regional economy, it is also a key participant in industries and activities that account for almost half of Taranaki GDP and a third of its employment. And that role could expand at a rapid rate if potential projects are taken into account, it adds. These could add an additional $350 million towards regional GDP and an additional 4100 jobs, most within the energy industry. The report shows that Port Taranaki is New Zealand's second largest export port by volume when coastal trade is included, and it is the fourth largest by value. 28 June 2007 Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News Port Outlays Millions for Growth Port Taranaki's aggressive expansion campaign has grown dramatically with a multi-million dollar investment in the South Island Port of Greymouth. The Taranaki Regional Council-owned port is now the major shareholder of a new company that will upgrade and operate Greymouth - the harbour from which millions of tonnes of coal will soon be shipped to Taranaki for export overseas. The cost of this shareholding is being kept confidential in Taranaki, but a media release by Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn, who is also chairman of Port Westland Ltd, which owns the Port of Greymouth, confirms that the cost of the development will be up to $20 million, and that up to $18 million of this will be underwritten by Port Taranaki Ltd. The new company, Greyport Terminal Ltd, is held 50.1 per cent by Port Taranaki Ltd and the rest belongs to Port Westland. Greyport will lease the facility from Port Westland for an initial period of 23 years.
All this activity will result in a sharp rise in Port Taranaki Ltd's level of debt. But yesterday Taranaki Regional Council chief executive Basil Chamberlain said the council was comfortable with that. "There's no question that currently Port Taranaki has a requirement for considerable capital investment," he said. "Obviously, like all commercial investments there are some risks attached. But the council is satisfied that all reasonable steps are being taken to mitigate and minimise these risks." Yesterday the council held a confidential meeting with executives of Port Taranaki Ltd, and received a full briefing on both the Greymouth project and the New Plymouth port company's financial status. Following the briefing, the council gave shareholder approval to the project, as required by the Companies Act. At times in recent years Port Taranaki has paid a healthy dividend to the regional council, which in turn has used it to keep down rates. Yesterday Mr Chamberlain agreed that the port's future level of debt will have an impact on this. "The port company's balance sheet will be a different looking beast for a few years, because of that debt loading. "But due diligence has been given to this investment, and we have had it independently assessed, and we are very confident that in time the debt will be met by increased revenues." Meanwhile, Mr Kokshoorn is enthusiastic about the prospects that will result from the redevelopment of the Port of Greymouth. "This development is with out doubt the biggest, most significant development in the more recent history of our district," he said. "It will breathe new life into a port that over many years has been allowed to run down. At the same time it will create a new and exciting source of income for the district." When Pike River exports are at their peak, two specially built 135m ships will transport the coal from Greymouth to Port Taranaki, where it will be stockpiled before being loaded into Panamax-sized bulk carriers for export. Spare capacity on these ships will enable the shipment of many other cargoes including wood, containers and fertiliser. Port Taranaki chief executive Roy Weaver said: "We think there's a bright future for that port, not the least because it is a means of overcoming the currently convoluted links for cargoes waiting to exit the South Island either for the North Island or overseas." June 2, 2007 Courtesy of Iain MacIntyre and The New Zealand Shipping Gazette Dredging Increases Port Options Port Taranaki this week completed a 19-month dredging project to take its operating draught from 10 metres to 12.5 metres and join Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton and Otago as one of the country's deepest container ports. Completing the project under the $25 million initially budgeted, New Zealand company Heron Construction dredged about 665,000 cubic metres of material from the port's berths and turning basin via the Turkish dredge Machiavelli. Port Taranaki chief executive Roy Weaver said the extra draught would potentially impact five sectors of the port company's business. "We know that the container ships are continually drifting up in size," he told the Shipping Gazette. "Particularly the Maersk ships were sailing out of here, as the last port, at our maximum draught. Now we've got some room for them to grow, so that is a huge relief for us. We can handle vessels up to 300 metres long and 4100 TEUs plus. "We've had continual pressure from the petrochemical companies such as Methanex, Shell, Todd and Silver Fern Shipping, who've all got vessels currently that could have gone deeper than our previous draught. So that now releases them to go down to their full loaded draught. "I'd like to acknowledge these Newton King Tanker Terminal users because they underpinned our dredging programme by committing to pay their share of the increase. That got the impetus to get us going." In addition to aiding the port company's fertiliser trade, Mr Weaver said the extra draught would prove pivotal to handling the pending Pike River coal throughput, which has previously been estimated at 1.3 million tonnes per year. "We weren't in the hunt until we announced our dredging programme in 2005. They need Panamax-sized vessels, so we couldn't have otherwise been in that game at all." Mr Weaver said this coastal-export coal movement should begin in the first quarter of 2008 and get up to full speed towards the end of the year. He said Port Taranaki's extended draught and swinging basin would be crucial to handling the potentially "huge contract" associated with being a future LNG import port. Taranaki Regional Council chief executive Basil Chamberlain said the dredging project would be hugely significant to the economic future of the region. "New Zealand's economy is underpinned by commodity exports and the port deepening means that Taranaki can be a strong part of that, while it may not necessarily be the case with some other ports," he told the Taranaki Daily News. "While continued development of Port Taranaki is very capital-intensive, there was the danger that if the deepening project didn't go ahead, it could have become nothing much more than a little coastal feeder port." Port Taranaki also has resource consent to dredge down to 14 metres as required by customer needs - estimated to cost an additional $25 million - and become the deepest container port in the country. January 12, 2007 Maersk Services to Port Taranaki Improved Maersk Line has recently reviewed their services and schedules both globally and here in New Zealand. They will continue to serve Port Taranaki using the mainline Oceania Americas Service. The Oceania Americas Service, involving nine vessels on a weekly string, will call US East Coast, Australia, Auckland, New Plymouth, Timaru and Port Chalmers before returning to the US. This service now becomes weekly from fortnightly and has been enhanced with direct calls into Norfolk and Savannah while retaining the current Philadelphia and Kingston calls. The Oceania Americas Service will also be used to connect Asian and European cargo with the new Asia Service. The Asia Service, which hubs through Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, will employ four, 4100 TEU vessels on a weekly string. The full rotation of the Oceania Americas Service is: Balboa, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland (1), New Plymouth, Timaru, Port Chalmers (2), Balboa, Kingston, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Savannah.
1) Port Taranaki Imports from Asia & Europe connect via Auckland Maersk will also through the peak shipment period, February through May, be employing a number of peak season loaders. For more information on the services available through Port Taranaki, including schedules and transit times, please refer to our Shipping Services page. October 24, 2006 Rigs fire up energy industry boom Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News New Zealand's most intensive oil and gas drilling effort is poised to start off Taranaki. At its peak there are likely to be three rigs simultaneously in action off the coast as they work to bring into production oil and gas discoveries, then explore for more. One rig, the Ensco-56, is already in position off the North Taranaki coast and is about to begin drilling a total of six production wells as part of $1 billion development of the Pohokura gas field. Another, the Ocean Patriot, is due to arrive in Taranaki waters within a month to begin drilling four production wells for the $700 million development of the Tui oil discovery north-west of the Maui gas field. A third offshore rig, the Ensco-107, will arrive off the South Taranaki coast early next month for the $1 billion development of the Kupe gas field. When it has finished that, it will be towed further out to sea to play a role in $600 million development of the Maari oil discovery. At the height of the offshore drilling operations, there are also likely to be up to six land-based drilling rigs in action throughout Taranaki as the search for new gas and oil supplies intensifies. All this is going to mean very busy times for businesses and organisations that service the energy industry in Taranaki. Everything from engineering companies to helicopter services and stevedores are gearing up for the imminent boom period. "What many people don't realise is that it is estimated that up to 40% of the entire Taranaki workforce is connected in some way to the energy industry," said Murray Winks, a director of Tasman Oil Tools Ltd, which supplies tools and other equipment to the explorers. "Mate, if it wasn't for the energy industry, Taranaki would be like Gisborne without the climate." Tim Saville, of Wendell Offshore Services Ltd, says his company is only just coping with catering and crewing demands for drilling operations, and he expects things to get even busier next year. "I've been involved in the oil and gas industry here since 1975 and I've never seen anything like this," he said. Port Taranaki is even having to create a new berth to cater for an influx of support vessels for the offshore drilling operations. Each of the rigs has two such vessels, and there will be several other specialised vessels basing themselves at the port during oilfield development operations. The port's operations manager, Captain Ray Barlow, said part of the Moturoa Wharf was being turned into a supply boat berth. This will mean that parts of Blyde Wharf, the main breakwater and Moturoa Wharf will all soon used by the energy industry. Helicopters New Zealand Ltd will soon have three big Bell 412 helicopters based at New Plymouth to service the offshore operations. The company has returned one of its choppers from Asia, and it will soon arrive in Taranaki. HNZ also has an application before the New Plymouth District Council for consent to build another hangar plus additional passenger facilities and a new office. The work is expected to be complete by Christmas. October 4, 2006 Possible LNG site about preserving future options Genesis Energy and Contact Energy Limited today said the selection of Port Taranaki as the preferred site for a LNG import terminal, was all about preserving future options. Contact Chief Executive David Baldwin and Genesis Energy Chief Executive Murray Jackson said while the resource consent process would soon be started for a possible LNG import terminal at the Port Taranaki site, the move was all about enhancing options. The two companies have created a new joint venture company called Gasbridge, which will run a community consultation process on the proposal and manage the resource consenting process. "Both Contact and Genesis Energy have a strong preference to use domestic natural gas," said Contact Energy Chief Executive, David Baldwin. "This announcement of a potential site for an import terminal is all about preserving future options. It is simply prudent commercial risk management." Murray Jackson said Port Taranaki had been selected as a preferred site because of the region's world-class experience in handling natural gas and hydrocarbons, its deep water port and its natural gas distribution infrastructure. "New Plymouth is regarded as New Zealand's energy capital for a very good reason. The residents understand energy and the importance of New Plymouth as a national energy hub to both the local and national economy," he said. Mr Jackson said in the event of a future natural gas shortage, the LNG option could provide New Zealand with a secure and safe supply of natural gas until new domestic discoveries were made and bought to market. "While this announcement is simply about developing a future option, it is important that residents understand the proposal — in particular that LNG is safe and that any future import terminal would meet very high international safety standards," said Mr Jackson. The proposed terminal would involve a new purpose-built berth at the end of the main breakwater inside the Port of Taranaki, with the LNG being piped along adjacent to the breakwater and stored in a new tank at Contact's New Plymouth Power Station. The appropriate access and land agreements have been reached with Port Taranaki and the Power Station. A Gasbridge website has been launched explaining LNG, along with computer generated images of how a new LNG terminal might look and a facility for people to ask questions and have them answered on-line. A free information phone line has been set up to answer any questions from the public on 0800 GAS LNG (427 564). "We urge residents to have a good look at the Gasbridge website and the information displays. These resources should answer most common questions," said Mr Jackson. Media inquiries Richard Gordon Jonathan Hill January 11, 2006 Port in talks over Nelson ferry Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News PORT TARANAKI yesterday confirmed it was holding talks with five shipping operators over plans to introduce a new inter-island ferry service between New Plymouth and Nelson. The port started exploring the idea more than a year ago, as a more efficient option to transport freight between the northern half of the North Island and the South Island. Port Taranaki's chief executive, Roy Weaver, said that the proposed service would initially carry only freight, but could carry passengers eventually. Mr Weaver said Port Taranaki had explored the idea with truck operators, who were supportive, and was now talking to five shipping companies. The Cook Strait ferry operator Strait Shipping was one of those. "As the ship sails, we're quite close," Mr Weaver said, of New Plymouth and Nelson. He said there were advantages for truck drivers travelling from Auckland or Hamilton to the South Island in catching a ferry to Nelson from New Plymouth, and vice versa for truckies heading north. While the ferry service would probably be an eight-hour boat trip, it would cut out a lot of driving time and the Wellington- Picton ferry trip, and avoid congestion in the Wellington area. Truck operators who had examined cargo flows believed the plan was viable, Mr Weaver said. He also thought there were other opportunities to develop coastal shipping in New Zealand, which he said was more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than land transport. Port Taranaki recently picked up a contract to receive and export coal shipped from Greymouth from next year, in a deal with the Pike River Coal Company. Mr Weaver said the proposed Nelson ferry service would probably sail six days a week, but it was now in the hands of shipping operators to decide what, if anything, they could offer. Port Nelson was involved in early discussions on the proposal, but chief executive Martin Byrne said they had not been involved in any talks for the past year. Mr Byrne said Port Nelson was interested in the proposal as long as it was viable and did not threaten the current coastal freight operators who stopped in Nelson, Strait Shipping and Pacifica, which sails to Lyttelton and Auckland. Mr Byrne said if the ferry had roll-on, roll-off cargo, Port Nelson had a berth that could be used, although it would have to work around other shipping services. "We'd be keen on it as much as they would," he said. January 10, 2006 Port boss weighs role in Greymouth upgrade Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News PORT TARANAKI boss Roy Weaver heads to the Port of Greymouth next week to help broker a deal that could result in a closer relationship between the two ports. Port Taranaki is a leading member of a new consortium that may be the front-runner to buy up to 30% of the Port of Greymouth. The wheeling and dealing is all to do with coal—millions of tonnes of it. Port Taranaki Ltd is the manager of the new West Coast Coal Company, a consortium that also includes trucking operator TNL Group Ltd, shipping management company Wendell group, and bulk shipping specialists Jebsens International. The company will be responsible for handling, transporting and exporting up to 1.3 million tonnes of coal a year from Pike River coal mine, located 46km inland from Greymouth. Greymouth's port—a rivermouth facility—is owned by the Grey District Council, and in recent years has become run down because of a lack of trade. Now, at least $20 million will be invested in upgrading the port, so the facility can handle specially built coastal vessels. These ships will be used to transport Pike River coal from the West Coast to Port Taranaki, where it will be stockpiled before being loaded on to large bulk carriers. To fund the port development, the Grey District Council decided to offer up to 30% stakeholding in the port. Several parties have already expressed interest in purchasing this equity share, including the West Coast Coal Company. Yesterday Mr Weaver would not be drawn on whether a company stakeholding in the Port of Greymouth would result in Port Taranaki taking over any of the operational aspects of the southern port. "We are simply moving to support the people of Greymouth in their efforts to resurrect their port," he said. December 26, 2005 Coal deal puts port back on track Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News ON Thursday, Port Taranaki boss Roy Weaver assured himself a relaxed and satisfied Christmas. That's because on that day he signed the dotted line on a big coal export deal that will represent about $190 million in revenue over the next 18 years. When the project is in operation—and it will take until 2009 before it reaches full momentum—coal from the South Island's Pike River coalmine will be shipped from Greymouth to Port Taranaki, where it will be stockpiled before being loaded on to big bulk carriers for export overseas. Port Taranaki's total revenue stream is about $25 million a year. The Pike River contract will potentially add another one-third to that. Huge news for a port company, 100% owned by the people of Taranaki through its sole shareholder the Taranaki Regional Council, which was facing severely reducing profits in the wake of the demise of Taranaki's Maui gas-based methanol industry. At its peak, 2.5 million tonnes of methanol was exported from Port Taranaki. This trade has now all but disappeared, and as a result the port's annual dividend to the council has dropped through the floor—from more than $3 million a couple of years ago, to $2.2 million last financial year, and projected to drop even further to perhaps less than $1 million next year. The regional council, which in recent years has used this dividend to reduce its general rates by a total of 30%, is now facing the prospect of having to raise them again, something that will affect every Taranaki ratepayer. But even if the TRC does increase general rates, it seems likely that the low level of Port Taranaki's annual dividend will not be the culprit for long. Despite the fact the port is investing millions in capital works crucial to its future as one of New Zealand's major export ports, it is now almost certain that trade growth—led by the Pike River deal—will return Port Taranaki Ltd to excellent profitability within the next few years. And that's why Roy Weaver deserves to rest easy this Christmas. Since taking up his post as chief executive in mid-2001, he has had to guide the port company through a tough period which has seen it change from being close to 80% dependent on methanol exports for its revenue, to achieving a much more diversified revenue base. Even before this week's Pike River announcement, this work was beginning to pay off. Last financial year saw a drop of total trade volume, mainly because of the demise of the methanol business, but containers, logs, fertilisers, petrol and fuel oils, cement and coal all enjoyed growth—albeit small tonnages when compared with methanol. Early this year, Roy Weaver and his team of port company directors and management decided that what Port Taranaki really needed to do was to position itself to pick up the really big trades of the future. It was reasoned that the only way to achieve this was to ensure the port was capable of handling increasingly larger ships. The only way to do that was to deepen the port's draught. So Port Taranaki Ltd committed itself to one of the biggest capital projects in the port's history—a $25 million spend that would deepen the port from its current 9.5 metres to 11.5 metres, and potentially even deeper to 14 metres. The deepening project began two weeks ago, and already it has begun to pay off. Last week the big Maersk-Sealand container shipping line announced a one-third increase in the number of its ships visiting Taranaki, with the prospect of more and bigger ships to come. Then this week came the Pike River deal, with a major reason for Port Taranaki's success being the fact that its harbour draught will be deep enough to handle big bulk carriers that will load more than 65,000 tonnes of coal per visit. But although Roy Weaver will relax this Christmas, he certainly won't be resting on his laurels in 2006, because the deepening of the port opens the way for a lot, lot more to be done. In fact, there are so many potential new trades in the wind, that Weaver has appointed various members of his management team as co-ordinators of separate projects. These include:
December 24, 2005 It may be black, but it's clean Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News UP to 100,000 tonnes of coal will be stockpiled at Port Taranaki once the Pike River export operation reaches full production. But despite the huge quantities that would be stored out in the open at the port, it would be of such a high quality there would be no pollution or dust problems, Port Taranaki Ltd's chief executive Roy Weaver said. "The Pike River coal is what is known as coking coal, which is very much sought-after worldwide. It's used as a 5% blend with lesser quality coals in the steel industry," he said. Pike River coal is hard and black, not like the brownish dusty thermal coals that often cause major dust problems at the ports of Tauranga and Lyttelton. "Those coals often get a bad rap. In Lyttelton, for instance, the port operators constantly have trouble trying to stockpile the stuff in areas where there can be high temperatures and strong winds," Mr Weaver said. "But at Port Taranaki, not only will the Pike River Coal not be dusty, but our climate is a lot more temperate and moist. "So we are confident there won't be any problems." Mr Weaver said the port would have a water-spray system in place in case there were times when the coal stockpile did need damping down. A system was also already in place that filtered and recirculated water drained from the coal stockpile area. "Not only that, but we will have dust monitors around the port boundary, and we also already have in place a coal management plan," he said. December 24, 2005 Port Taranaki wins $80 million coal contract Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News PORT TARANAKI has won an $80 million contract to export coal from a new mine on the South Island's West Coast The contract, initially for 18 years, will transform the port to second only to Lyttelton in terms of coal tonnages handled. At its height, the operation will see the port handling 1.3 million tonnes of coal a year, a figure that will represent more than 30% of Port Taranaki's entire cargo tonnages. The contract was signed yesterday between Pike River Coal Company Ltd and the transport consortium, the West Coast Coal Company, and represents an $80 million supply chain. Port Taranaki will be responsible for all aspects of handling, transporting and exporting the coal from the new Pike River mine north of Greymouth. Port Taranaki chief executive Roy Weaver yesterday hailed the contract as the dawning of a new era in the port's history. "I'm delighted. It's a wonderful Christmas present. "We are the energy province here in Taranaki and we're the energy port and it's wonderful to have such a variety of energy options coming through now. The coal was of the highest grade with a very low sulphur content which would mostly be used in the manufacture of steel, he said. "It's the cleanest coal around and highly regarded." The coal will be shipped from Greymouth in two small coastal bulk ships, purpose-built to handle the river bar, to Port Taranaki. At Port Taranaki, the coal will be stockpiled and then shipped in Panamax (bulk-size) vessels, carrying up to 65,000 tonnes at a time, to export markets in Asia, India, South America and Europe. Pike River Coal Company Ltd (PRCC) general manager Gordon Ward described the new transport route as a major innovation for New Zealand's coal export industry which opened up significant opportunities for expansion. The first coal production is planned for March 2007 and the first coal shipments will follow some months later. Mr Weaver said Port Taranaki would also take advantage of the new developments. A total of $90 million is to be invested in developing the supply chain for this trade, including new facilities and equipment at the port. "The new infrastructure at Port Taranaki and the linkages with dedicated coastal shipping will open up exciting opportunities for other bulk trades and commercial traffic to be hubbed through the port," he said. These facilities will be able to be used for other dry bulk trades Port Taranaki may attract in the future, such as fertiliser and further coal. WCCC comprises Port Taranaki Ltd, Nelson-based road transport company TNL Group, New Plymouth-based shipping management company Wendell Group, and Norwegian bulk shipping specialists Jebsens International. TNL's principal shareholders are Five Star Distribution (owned by New Plymouth's Hooker Bros Holdings Ltd and United Carriers Ltd), and Neil Reid (50%). One of the coastal ships will berth at Port Taranaki every three days to unload 10,500 tonnes of coal a time. The coal will then be stockpiled to await the arrival of the bulk carriers. New facilities will be developed at the port to handle this amount of coal. This will include a new crane capable of handling 800 tonnes of coal an hour, construction of load-out equipment to load the bulk carriers at rates of up to 2000 tonnes an hour, and some modification of Moturoa Wharf.
Dredging Port Taranaki is currently undertaking a $25million dredging project which will enable it to handle 'Panamax' size ships which can travel through the Panama Canal and carry up to 65,000 tonnes of cargo. The dredging to a deeper draft will see Port Taranaki develop to become the international hub for other New Zealand western seaboard ports such as Onehunga, Nelson, Greymouth and Westport, which are physically constrained from becoming deeper ports. Chief executive Roy Weaver describes Port Taranaki as the "lucky port" compared to all other New Zealand ports, because it has room to expand three-dimensionally - outwards and downwards - without impacting dramatically on the environment or the local population. "We have the ability to go deeper very economically and are the only New Zealand port with a 15m water depth capacity just 300 metres off the end of the port's main breakwater." "Upon completion, the port will be well positioned to cater for the largest vessels currently calling into New Zealand," Mr Weaver says. "And with resource consent to dredge to 14 metres, Port Taranaki has the option to become the deepest container port in New Zealand."
Re-branding Port Taranaki's name change reflects our emerging role as the centre of New Zealand's western seaboard. It signifies a radical shift in direction for the port, as we diversify away from our historic reliance on the Maui field to a range of new trades. The fresh name and look, modelled by our customers and staff, simply states what we are, where we are and what we're about… The first major re-branding of Taranaki's port in nearly 20 years marks the start of a new era as it aims to be the number-one port in New Zealand in every area of it's operation. Known as "Westgate Transport Limited" since 1988, the re-branding shift to "Port Taranaki" with the positioning line "the west gate", comes at a pivotal time for the port as it diversifies into new business lines and heads into the future as being the gateway to the west. The new logo is simple and fresh with visual references to the mountain and coast, and signifies the new direction away from the port's primary reliance on the oil and gas industry which has supplied 90% of the port's volume for the last 20 years. This year, revenues from containers outstripped oil and gas for the first time, reflecting the port's changing focus, says Port Taranaki chief executive Roy Weaver. "We were a single issue port - we were standing on one leg and the rug was being pulled out from under us," says Mr Weaver referring to the decline in oil and gas revenues. "But we developed a second leg in containers and a third leg in bulk trades such as coal, fertilisers and logs to the point that Port Taranaki has maintained its position as the second biggest export port in New Zealand in terms of volume." The need for re-branding has come about because in recent years the "Westgate" brand didn't have the desired traction. It failed to clearly describe the port's operation, and its similarity to shopping malls and other companies has proved to be confusing at times in the international market place. Over the last year, staff and customers were surveyed and the results showed that the port should be in the marketplace with a new name that concisely and simply states its business. It was clear that 'Port' defines our operation and 'Taranaki' defines where we are," says Mr Weaver. "The new brand re-emphasises what we're all about and our drive to be the western gateway of New Zealand for global and trans-Tasman shipping, and for western seaboard coastal services," he explains. "We want to be number one in terms of everything we do - from being number one in maritime safety to the number one port overall in terms of delivering economic value." January 11, 2005 Colin's Cat Three Years On It's now three years since Colin's cat became an international celebrity, with worldwide publicity of her unscheduled trip from Port Taranaki to South Korea aboard a methanol tanker. The female feline seems unfazed by celebrity status, despite visitors to the port still asking about her and continued hits to her own website and the odd email inquiry. "Colin's doesn't stray far from her home these days. She occasionally wanders down the wharf with me, though she doesn't go onboard vessels any more," says Newton King Tanker Terminal superintendent Gordon MacPherson, who brought the tortoiseshell back home in December 2001 after the cat had been taken onboard the departing tanker bound for Yeosu. "She's never been as adventurous since her epic voyage; she's now an older and wiser cat. She still hunts, stalks seagulls occasionally, though the last time she caught anything was about a year ago when she got a bird." "So she's not really earning her keep, which I guess is understandable since she must be about twelve years old by now. She's still cunning, timing it well with getting fed before people go off duty and then approaching the next person for another feed after they start their shift." 
"I've been contacted by a Japanese girl in Queenstown who wanted to write a story about her for a Japanese cat magazine and we've had emails from Californian students wanting to know more about her. She's certainly better off than before her voyage, with a lifetime supply of food and yearly checks by Moturoa veterinarian Wesley Bell, all paid for by pet food manufacturer Whiskas." A recent highlight for the port puss was the visit from Australia of former tanker terminal manager Colin Butler who adopted the cat, hence the name "Colin's". More on Colin's Adventure and Colin's website July 7, 2004 Port Joins Cash Cow Live Export Trade Courtesy of TERRY TACON and the Daily News (orig) The cargo is believed to be the first significant shipment of livestock from Port Taranaki since World War I. The port's business development manager, Jon Hacon, helped organise the shipment of yearling Holstein Friesian heifers to China and said any similar export was beyond the living memory of anyone the port company had contacted. The exporters were told the last any one could recall was during World War I. Christchurch-based company Xcell Breeding Services Ltd is behind the shipment to Nanjing and a director, Tim Wilding, said in New Plymouth yesterday another was likely in November. "Previously we have sourced most of our cows for the Chinese market from the South Island and sent them out through Timaru," he said. "But most of this shipment came from the central North Island, so it made sense to use New Plymouth." He hoped more Taranaki farmers would provide stock in future which would cut down the cost of bringing cows from the South Island to top up a load. "If people have the right type of cows there is good money in it for them. When we started out we were paying $750 to $800 for yearling heifers," Mr Wilding said. The price had come back with others entering the market, but it was still worthwhile for farmers to sell surplus stock for export. The young cattle have been in quarantine near Marton for the past 35 days, getting accustomed to the diet of hay and nuts they will be fed while aboard the Bison Express, a specialist livestock carrier, for their 16-day trip. Mr Wilding said it would be the fourth such shipment sent to China by Xcell Breeding Services and the second time the Bison Express had been used. "Livestock carriers are in big demand and we had to organise well in advance for this consignment, fitting it in between trips the ship has been making from the Northern Territory in Australia." The crew was skilled in looking after animals on such voyages but Xcell also sent a specialist stockman to assist, Mr Wilding said. "We will be in China to meet the ship and hand over the livestock to the Chinese buyers, who will place them in quarantine there for a further 40 days." The sales of live cows to China is a reponse by Xcell and other companies in New Zealand to a trade which has grown rapidly since the Chinese Government adopted a policy of giving milk to schoolchildren each day. Mr Hacon said that while the trade was a new one for the port, it had posed no problems. The Bison Express was due to sail today. May 10, 2004 Access to Secure Areas For Transport Companies The Maritime Security Act 2004 comes into force on 01 July 2004. This Act will enable New Zealand to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. Westgate Port Taranaki is required to put security measures in place to comply with the Code. Some of the changes involved will directly concern transport companies and other drivers. Some of Westgate's policy changes for access to secure areas can be found in the Notice To Port Users (PDF 45kB). Please ensure you are aware of these requirements and steps are taken to avoid refusal of entry due to non-compliance. In future entry through the East Gate will be severely restricted (more information on this will follow shortly). If you have any questions please contact Arun Chaudhari:
March 9, 2004 MV Perla Update The discharge of the methanol into trucks should be completed by midday today. The damaged cargo tanks will then be purged with nitrogen to take the atmosphere inside the tanks to outside flammable limits. This operation is expected to take 8-12 hours and after that, subject to clement weather conditions, the vessel will sail to Nelson. March 3, 2004 Serious Incident at NKTT A serious incident occurred on board the Singapore registered chemical tanker 'Perla' whilst loading methanol at Newton King Tanker Terminal, Port Taranaki at 0845 on 2nd March. The vessel suffered a failure of the deck in way of No2 port tank. Loading was stopped immediately, there were no injuries, ignition, pollution or damages to the terminal. Class and MSA surveyors are in attendance and temporary repairs are expected to be completed tonight. Investigations continue into the cause of the incident. In the meantime emergency services and fi-fi tugs are on standby and the terminal is closed for other vessels. The LPG Tanker 'Boral Gas is waiting off-port. The terminal is expected to re-open at 0800 on 4th March once temporary repairs are completed. December 9, 2003 TOL boosts services to region Courtesy of ROB MAETZIG and The Daily News (orig) Taranaki's engineering industry stands to benefit from a major upgrade to services offered by leading independent shipping company Tasman Orient Line. The company announced yesterday that from January it would introduce changes to its service, including the addition of two vessels to its North Asia trade, direct calls to Port Klang (Malaysia) and Singapore, and a weekly southbound service on its South-East Asia service. For Taranaki it will mean more direct services between Port Taranaki and Asia — particularly inbound, which will benefit the engineering industry as a regular importer of steel and oil and gas-related heavy equipment from Asia. "The new services will really fit in with our special industries," Westgate Transport Ltd business development manager Jon Hacon said yesterday. "Tasman Orient will now give us direct access from the very areas where we access steel and drilling equipment. It will allow engineering industries to import it direct to Port Taranaki, rather than having to transport it down from Auckland." Brian Souness, the business development manager for Engineering Taranaki Consortium, said the new shipping services would be of obvious benefit. "Let's face it, the road transport infrastructure into Taranaki isn't the best, so there will be a real cost advantage in being able to import steel and equipment direct to the region." Tasman Orient chief executive Ulrich Stelling said the upgrade of his company's services reflected confidence in the growth of regional trade. August 28, 2003 Westgate Launches "Midnight" The Westgate pair of Liebherr LHM 400 Harbour Mobile Cranes lifting in tandem, successfully launched the superyacht 'Midnight' a Dubois 37.5 metre design built by Fitzroy Yachts Limited and weighing in at 166.5 tonnes August 20, 2003 Rupe Tows the Spirit of Enterprise Westgate's tug Rupe is towing the disabled container vessel 'Spirit of Enterprise' to the Port of Lyttelton after going to its assistance on Saturday 16th August off Manukau Harbour on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The tow is proceeding in fine weather and the two vessels are expected in Lyttelton on Thursday. Update August 21, 2003 Tug Rupe arrived at Lyttelton at noon today with the Spirit of Enterprise in tow and handed over to Lyttelton harbour tugs. June 24, 2003 Port Taranaki joins 'green' scheme Courtesy of Rob Maetzig and The Daily News Port Taranaki has become the first port in Australasia to join an innovative new scheme in which shippers are financially rewarded for operating safe, clean ships. The port yesterday joined Green Award, a Netherlands-based non-profit scheme that grants special port fee discounts to qualifying oil tankers and bulk carriers. It is the 48th port worldwide to join the scheme as an incentive pro-vider, and the first in New Zealand and Australia. So far, more than 200 vessels worldwide have quali-fied for the discounts - including two New Zealand tankers that are regular visitors to Port Taranaki. Westgate Transport chief execu-tive Roy Weaver said Port Taranaki would now offer a 5% discount on its marine tariff for any visiting vessel that had been audited to Green Award standard. For a tanker or bulk carrier with a deadweight of 20,000 tonnes and more, this represented a saving of at least $1500 a visit. "We're very happy to join this scheme," he said. "Port Taranaki is unique in that it has a marine park immediately offshore, and a major bathing beach within the port confines. The area is very environmentally sensitive - we need to do everything we can to protect it." Port Taranaki's decision to join Green Award was yesterday hailed by one of New Zealand's major ship-ping companies, Silver Fern Shipping. Two of the company's tankers, the Taiko and the Kakariki, carry the Green Award certification. "That's immediately put Port Taranaki right up there on the leadership map. We're delighted to hear the news," said Silver Fern general manager Frank Wall, Wellington. Special guest at yesterday's announcement. was the deputy managing director of the Green Award Foundation, Jan Fransen. He is formerly an executive of the Port of Rotterdam, where the scheme started in the early 1990s, after the port had been facing ser-ious environmental issues. To win Green Award certifica-tion, vessels must be audited and surveyed and proved to be in good technical conditions, as well as having a well-trained crew, good ownership, and proper shore-based managerial support at their disposal. "It's something that requires a long-term vision, but in the end you will win by it," Mr Fransen told Port Taranaki executives. "You'll benefit from such things as faster ship turnaround times because of operational efficiencies, and you'll also win with the public because you will be seen to be work-ing to protect the environment." May 30, 2003 Energy Crisis Hits Westgate Key Westgate customers have been learning of the port's first tariff review in the 15 years since the company was formed and the rationale behind it. Over the last two months Westgate has been conducting one-on-one presentations with its customers detailing the rapid business environment changes Westgate has experienced in the last two years — and the range of new and improved services Westgate has implemented in response. One of the most significant factors driving its review of services and prices is the current accelerated Maui rundown. Maui has been responsible for over 60% of Westgate's revenues for many years, and its accelerating decline meant Westgate has had to reshape its business, says Westgate's chief executive, Roy Weaver. "In an operation we called 'The Westgate Experience' we took an active role in getting to know our customers better, and also getting to understand what drives their business forward and our part in that," explains Mr Weaver. "As an internal and external exercise, The Westgate Experience means we have extensively discussed what we can do or change to provide a better, more efficient service. We have realigned our working processes and further trained our staff to produce, for example, a 25% more efficient marine service." And the results have been astounding. In response to these initiatives, Westgate has attracted a surge in activity on logs (up 400%), fertiliser (up 40%) and containers (up 750%) from 6,000 teu p.a. in 2001 to 45,000 teu projected for 2003). While Maui volumes held up and methanol kept flowing, the port performed soundly in respect of the financial return on capital invested by its shareholder, The Taranaki Regional Council. However, the Maui decline is firmly established and in the next financial year (1 July 2003 - 30 June 2004) Westgate expects to lose over 2 million tonnes of product currently going through Westgate's Newton King Tanker Terminal--more than 45% of its normal volumes. This will reduce revenues by more than $7 million over the next 12 months, which is greater than Westgate's post tax profit for the last financial year. To offset this revenue decline Westgate will take a three way approach, ie port cost reductions, price increases and continued business diversification. Westgate put in place Activity Based Costing (ABC) in early 2002. Using ABC Westgate has determined the pricing of services so that it could accurately match the cost of services provided in each area. To take effect on 1 July 2003, these new tariffs include revised standard conditions of business (copies attached). The new tariffs do not affect existing contracts where the charges for services will remain as negotiated and agreed to for the term of the contract, says Roy Weaver. "Considering that Port Taranaki represents over $100 million of investment and ships millions of dollars of commerce annually, we need to ensure that it is financially capable of providing the proper level of maintenance, support and safety systems essential for sustaining the long-term viability and effectiveness of the container and bulk terminals required by our customers," says Mr Weaver. "This is the first time in 15 years that Westgate has addressed the issue of its port tariff — and we believe our customers have understood and accepted the urgent need for a new tariff structure at Westgate." "We want the Westgate Experience to be sustainable beyond the Maui field's demise. We're a man-made port dating back to the 1870s when the port was a lifeline for Taranaki as an emerging colonial settlement. More than 130 years later, we're still a lifeline — but for the whole country as well as Taranaki by being the second biggest export port in New Zealand — and the only deep, western sea-board port in New Zealand," says Mr Weaver. "The last two decades has seen major improvements in services at Westgate, which our customers have told us they appreciate. We are determined that the future will see even more. To achieve this we have to rapidly reshape the company and continue to respond to the commercial realities facing New Zealand's energy sector at present". May 6, 2003 Tasman Orient Comes to New Plymouth Westgate Port Taranaki is pleased to announce the introduction of regular calls at New Plymouth for Tasman Orient Line. Effective from next month, 5 of the Line's multi-purpose vessels will commence 3 direct calls per month at Port Taranaki. The ships on the South-East Asia Service will call at New Plymouth, every 15 days, as the last port on its New Zealand coastal rotation - thus providing the most direct and rapid connections to Surabaya, Jakarta, Manila, Subic Bay and Davao. The first vessel will be "Tasman Campaigner" on 4th July. In addition, the vessels on the East Asia Service are scheduled to call once per month on their southbound leg. Following the ships' rotation through East and SE Asia (see attached schedule), a New Plymouth call will be added to the schedule after departing from Auckland. On this service, the first caller will be "Tasman Endeavour" on 30 May. The introduction of Port Taranaki - the 9th New Zealand regular direct port of call for the company - marks a further milestone in the Line's service development to provide the most comprehensive regional port coverage. With 36 scheduled port calls per year at New Plymouth, Tasman Orient is responding to customers' demand to service the dairy, meat and forestry export industry in the Taranaki region directly and regularly. Their multi-purpose ships also cater to the needs of breakbulk and project cargo customers who prefer their goods to move through the local gateway. All Tasman Orient vessels offer shipping space and handling gear for the safe carriage of breakbulk and container cargoes, including an adequate number of plugs for reefer cargoes. The inclusion of New Plymouth into their schedule framework will further improve their service product, and is aimed at assisting you to enhance your trading opportunities with Asia. For further information, please contact your local customer service representative, Quadrant Pacific in NZ (0800 947 947) or Tasman Orient Trade Management at +64-9-980 9410.
February 13, 2002 Port Takes on Second Harbour Mobile Crane The new LHM 400 was unloaded from the vessel Egmondgracht
at Port Erection commenced on the 31st of January by a team of Westgate
top gun Despite 2 days of winds gusting 25-30 knots the crane was operational
on The erection was assisted by the port's 3 year old LHM 400 and
the 37 Westgate is thrilled at the efforts of all concerned in achieving
this December 20, 2001 MSC Moving Forward Mediterranean Shipping Company ( Australia) Pty Limited, as agents
for MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, Geneva has pleasure in
announcing the " MSC Kiwi" currently employed on the Southern Express service will be replaced with the "MSC New Plymouth" on 5th January, 2002 at Sydney. This new ship is currently on delivery from the ships yards in China and will provide significant operating advantages for the service. With a Deadweight of 20,630 Tonnes, 2 x 40T Cranes, 246 Reefer Plugs and a maximum service speed of 20.5 Knots the "MSC New Plymouth" with further enhance scheduling reliability through increased operating speeds and will offer greater reefer, dry and breakbulk capacity. The introduction of this vessel is recognition of the continued growth and support that MSC is receiving on their services to and from New Zealand both on the Tasman and deep sea in conjunction with MSC's Global Network of services covering Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and the America's. Marivia to kick off Maersk Sealand service The brand new Marivia is to kick off Maersk Sealand's new five vessel Australia/North America service from New Plymouth on 9th September. The ship is of 30,030 dwt with a nominal teu intake of 2,078, more than 430 reefer slots and a service speed of 21 knots. She will be followed at fortnightly intervals by the Maersk Pelepas (2,732 teu), Nysted Maersk (2,178 teu), Jaguarmax (2,225 teu), and Nexoe Maersk (2,178 teu). The rotation of the service is Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, New
Plymouth, Timaru, Tauranga, Balboa, Manzanillo, Freeport (Bahamas),
Houston, Manzanillo, Balboa, Long Beach, and Auckland. Round voyage
time is cited at 70 days. July 30, 2001 Westgate orders new container crane Westgate has ordered a second LHM 400 harbour mobile crane from Liebherr Werk-Nenzing Austria to service Maersk Sealand's Oceania service calls at Port Taranaki. The crane is due for commissioning in January 2002 and will be
fitted with a twin lift spreader to increase productivity. The new
LHM 400 will compliment the existing LHM 400 purchased in 1998,
giving a combined heavy lift capacity of 200 tonnes. July 10, 2001 Maersk Sealand links NZ regional Ports to the Americas Maersk Sealand's new container shipping service to North and Latin America will call at New Plymouth, Timaru and Tauranga, all major export points for its key customer the New Zealand Dairy Board as well as other meat and seafood exporters. The fixed-day fortnightly service, scheduled to begin in September, will mark the first regular connection by Maersk Sealand to and from Westgate Port Taranaki, an initiative that will open up significant opportunities for customers in the Taranaki region. Westgate Port Taranaki chief executive Roy Weaver says the Americas is a key market for the province especially in regard to dairy and meat trades and that the new service will be hugely welcomed and supported by shippers in the region. Maersk New Zealand's Managing Director Flemming Gamst says it is also pleasing to be able to offer Timaru and New Plymouth a direct link to North and Latin America, as the ports have previously not had connections to these regions. The service will call Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, sailing to New Plymouth, Timaru and Tauranga in New Zealand. It will then call at the Caribbean and Latin American hub ports of Balboa and Manzanillo in Panama, Freeport in the Bahamas and Philadelphia on the U.S East Coast and then onto Long Beach, Los Angeles before returning to New Zealand. The import port of call in New Zealand has yet to be finalised between Auckland and Tauranga. The new Americas service will feature highly competitive transit times. The service has been facilitated by a long-term shipping agreement between Maersk Sealand and the New Zealand Dairy Board, together with other key Maersk Sealand customers in New Zealand and Australia. Maersk Sealand is the world's largest container line and commenced
operations in New Zealand in February 1997. It now offers weekly
services between ports in the North and South Islands to destinations
around the world, via its hub port in South East Asia. June 30, 2001 Puke Ariki Fit-Out Funds Increase Taranaki's port company has joined in on an ambitious plan for a multi-million-dollar fit-out of New Plymouth's Puke Ariki museum-library project. Westgate Transport Ltd, the operator of Port Taranaki, yesterday announced it is to become the second corporate foundation partner for the project. This announcement follows closely on news last week that Shell New Zealand will be a corporate foundation partner. And, like Shell, Westgate plans to use the partnership to introduce a range of "experience" attraction at Puke Ariki. When the museum-library project is completed and operational, visitors will be able to not only view Port Taranaki itself across the water, but will also use special interactive exhibits that explain how the port operates. Westgate chief executive Roy Weaver said these exhibits will tell the port's history, and its impact on Taranaki and its economy, in a fresh and exciting way. "Taranaki can feel justifiably proud of the port that it has built, often in the face of great adversity. It is a story and history that should be told." "The focus will be on the key stories, people and events that have shaped the port." Mr Weaver said the port company was particularly keen to join with Shell in the Puke Ariki partnership. "Both companies have strong economic and historic ties with Taranaki and each other. Puke Ariki offers the opportunity to record that," he said. Mr Weaver said the Westgate board and management were impressed by the vision and concept for Puke Ariki, and excited by the opportunity to participate in the project with Shell and other major investors. "We see this project as a major developmental opportunity for the region, both for current and future generations - and Westgate wants to play an active role in its development." Like Shell last week, Westgate is not making public the sum involved in becoming a corporate foundation partner - all will be revealed when both companies attend a formal signing of agreement at the New Plymouth District Council on July 20. But it is understood that both agreements will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, payable over the next 10 years. If that is the case, then the combined worth of the two partnerships will be sufficient to allow the Puke Ariki fit-out to go ahead. Westgate confirmed that yesterday's announcement followed 12 months of discussions and negotiations with the council. This means things were well progressed when, in December, the district council made its controversial decision to go ahead with the $12 million Puke Ariki building. That caused a storm of protest, as the council had previously stated that it would not go ahead without a minimum of $3 million funding in place from outside sources for the fit-out. Until now, only $1.8 million, from the TSB Community Trust, Taranaki Regional Council and the Lottery Grants Board, had been confirmed. New Plymouth Mayor Claire Stewart hailed yesterday's announcement as hugely significant to the success of the Puke Ariki development. "We're delighted - it's all good news. We promised that the Puke Ariki fit-out would be via fundraising, and that is now happening," she said, acknowledging the efforts of the project's fundraising team. |
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The announcement comes just weeks after completion of a $20-million harbour deepening project at Port Taranaki so it can remain viable as a major export port capable of handling big Panamax-sized container vessels, bulk carriers and tankers. 
October 1, 2005
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