Strengthening the Main Breakwater wave wall at Port Taranaki

Port Taranaki is carrying out significant strengthening of the wave wall on the Main Breakwater to further protect vessels and people, and help prepare the port for future trade opportunities.

The Main Breakwater protects the port from the prevailing westerly winds and currents of the open sea. The concrete wave wall, which is 5m tall and stretches 170m, provides added protection for the vessels moored on the breakwater berths and the nearby Moturoa Wharf.

“Like the breakwater, the wave wall dissipates the power of large waves that hit the breakwater,” said Port Taranaki project manager, Dougal Morris.

“It was constructed in 1994 and since then two sections have been damaged during storm events – a number of panels were replaced following a 2005 event, and several panels were damaged during ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi, in 2022.”

Following a structural engineer’s assessment of the wall following the Cyclone Dovi event, Port Taranaki is undertaking work to replace seven panels and further strengthen the 1994 section.

Port Taranaki general manager infrastructure John Maxwell added that the often turbulent conditions on the west coast caused wear and tear to the breakwaters and wharves, and the port annually invested in repairs and maintenance.