Mark Whitworth (Cargo Services Manage, Port of Tauranga POT) gave a splendid, fact filled, comprehensive and very engaging talk on the activities of the Port.
As a listed company it has several holdings and partnerships: Auckland Port, Kiwi Rail & Shipping container owners, and represents 33% of total NZ trade.
The Bulk containers are mainly logs (30%) oil/feedstuffs/fertiliser/salt (Mount salt mountain) /coal. Remaining Refrigerated trade is with Dairy/Red Meat and Kiwi fruit (22,000 containers annually), which earns $3 billion per year. Consequently, the largest number of containers in NZ are handled here and the future growth, in trade and container size, is almost guaranteed. To achieve this, POT is development includes: dredging the port and channel, use of electric automation equipment (PowerCo) vs diesel generators and installation of more plugs (3,000). This total package is a $90 million investment alone.
Additional activities through Partnerships include: using land consent for container storage (hubbing NB. container turnover is 14 days!), rail usage (74 trans/week) & links through new hubs (Hamilton) and Coastal shipping to NZ arriving directly into Tauranga e.g. Cargo destined for East US from Europe and South Island. Cruise ship visits also continue with about 83 visits promised for this coming season.
Monitoring of the Ports’ effect on the local environment (harbour & air quality) is continual and consented. This is carried out in conjunction with regional & district councils including the Environment (consents) Agency and iwi. No log fumigation is carried out within the Port & storm water is tanked (1million litres), filtered and discharged.
The Ports role in Environmental container catastrophe is also supported with the addition of a new hybrid fuel ship, to the current 3 pilot boats, which can be used in both in harbour and channel waters. Many local companies and communities are supported from Port of Tauranga sponsorship.
U3A Beachside - Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke 