Port of Tauranga Completes Channel Dredging Project

Port of Tauranga has just reported the completion of a major five year expansion program, including the channel dredging and landside facilities upgrades.

The channel dredging project was completed ahead of time and below budget.

The port’s shipping channels have now been widened and deepened, to 14.5 meters inside the harbor entrance and 15.8 meters outside the harbor.

The Port Chairman, David Pilkington, said: “Following the completion of dredging to deepen and widen the port’s shipping channels, the first of the 9,500 TEU ships is set to visit in October.”

Other Operational Developments

Port of Tauranga has examined every aspect of its landside operations to ensure it is able to handle the much larger transfers of cargo required when servicing larger vessels. Two additional cranes and 13 additional straddles have now been delivered.

KiwiRail is investing $15 million in upgrading its facilities at MetroPort Auckland, which saw an increase of 39% in containers volumes during the financial year. Meanwhile, in the South Island, Timaru Container Terminal reached an all-time record in container volumes of 84,402 TEUs – up 18% on the previous year.

South Island-based customers are now able to access the MetroPort Christchurch intermodal freight hub at Rolleston, which can consolidate imports and exports for rail transfer to and from the Timaru terminal.