Ports of Auckland does deal with KiwiRail as Centreport slapped with exclusion zone

Friday 18th November 2016

Ports of Auckland said it had an agreement with KiwiRail to lift freight capacity between Auckland and the lower North Island after Wellington's port was knocked about by the Kaikoura earthquake.

The state-owned railway had agreed to a plan to provide a daily rail link between Auckland's port, its inland hub at Wiri, and Longburn on the outskirts of Palmerston North.

The Wellington Harbourmaster Mike Pryce has declared a sea-side restricted zone alongside Wellington’s main wharves which excludes boaties from the area following Monday’s severe earthquake. Ports of Auckland stands to benefit from disruptions to Wellington's CentrePort if it can quickly offer another route for freight customers.

Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson said in a statement he was “pleased to be able to put on this service to fill the gap created as a result of the recent Kaikoura earthquake, and we will keep it running until Centreport is able to get back on their feet.”

Captain Price said in his notice today that he exclusion zone will ensure public safety and allow undisturbed access for structural engineers to inspect the condition of the wharves.

The service will help both importers and exporters, who are affected by the closure of Centreport in Wellington, the Auckland port's Gibson said.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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