Port rail cargo link delayed

Friday 29th June 2001

By Graeme Kennedy

The planned Ports of Auckland cargo rail link to Palmerston North has been delayed as the company continues to finalise details of the service with partner Tranz Rail.

The venture, in which the company is to spend about $5 million to buy its own rolling stock and establish the Manawatu city as a major inland port, was to have begun by the end of this month.

However, a port spokeswoman said there was now no starting date as progress had fallen behind schedule. "We are still finalising some of the details and as soon as that is done we will be ready to begin site works," she said.

The planned seven-day service, operated by Tranz Rail under a 15-year contract, aims to achieve higher container volumes for Auckland which is targeting an initial 50,000 20ft equivalent units annually from Palmerston North.

Ports of Auckland's specialist container division, Axis Intermodal, is to own and control the rolling stock and pay a fixed fee for line access.

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