Asia/Pacific News
NZ Port Advances Project Allowing Larger, Fuel Efficient Ships
After four years of delays, New Zealand is moving forward with a project to deepen and widen shipping channels at the Port of Tauranga to allow passage of larger, more fuel efficient vessels, New Zealand newspaper the National Business Review reports.
"I have granted these consents, on the recommendation of the Environment Court, because of the importance for New Zealand of efficient shipping services," said Conservation Minister Nick Smith.
"I am disappointed that it has taken nearly four years for a final decision to be made on these consents."
Port chief executive Mark Cairns said the bigger ships' better fuel efficiency will "enhance the competitiveness of New Zealand exporters and provide lower freight costs for importers."
The dredging project is moving forward after a High Court decision last fall that rejected an effort by the local iwi, or indigenous group, Ngati Ruahine, to prevent the expansion, NewsTalkZB reported at the time.
The iwi had argued that the project will damage clam beds and fishing grounds.
The dredging will open the hub to trade routes that the New Zealand Shippers' Council estimates could be worth up to NZD338 million ($281) a year.
The first stage of the project, scheduled to start near the end of the year, will cost between NZD40 ($33) and NZD50 million ($42) and will allow ships with a capacity up to 6,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) into the port.
A second state will bring the capacity up to 8,200 TEU ships.
Ports in other parts of the world, including the U.S., have also been working to deepen and widen their channels as shippers use increasingly larger vessels.
