Ports of Auckland looks to inland ports

By Graeme Kennedy

Friday 6th September 2002

The North Shore and West Auckland are expected to become sites for Ports of Auckland's next inland ports as the company expands its network of container pickup and delivery facilities within the region.

Company general manager for logistics Scott Paterson said the two areas were "obvious" locations following the port's initial focus in the South Auckland industrial zone. "And we are still looking for opportunities outside Auckland, where Palmerston North is still a possibility," he said. It was first considered as an inland port last year.

Ports of Auckland opened its first satellite facility in East Tamaki in April, a second at Otahuhu will be operational this month and plans for a third in South Auckland were well advanced, Mr Paterson said.

Containers were moved by truck and rail within Auckland but rail was the preferred option outside the city, he said.

Port chief executive Geoff Vazey said the company's inland port strategy aimed to provide a smooth flow of containers to and from the seaport outside normal operating hours to ensure local cargoes were shipped through Auckland and provided additional lower-cost land for container handling while making better use of its high-cost portside property.

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