New Zealand’s Ports of Auckland reported NZD 28.9 million (USD 21.6m) net profit for six months ended December 31, 2014, a NZD 2.5 million (USD 1.87m) increase compared to the same period the year before.
Container (490,723 TEUs) and break-bulk volumes (3.08m tonnes) were up 3% and 7.7%, respectively.
Freight volumes in all other areas increased, with the largest rise being in imported car units which were up 19%.
Looking forward, the port expects to see an increase in freight volumes and is embarking on a strategic capital investment programme to meet this demand.
Fergusson container wharf is being extended to cater for longer ships. A new truck facility has been built to speed up container handling and rail services to the inland port at Wiri have been quadrupled, resulting in 3000 fewer truck movements a month to and from the terminal.
The port is also planning to extend two berths on Bledisloe Multi-Purpose Terminal to provide sufficient capacity for future growth. Construction will start in April and be completed by late 2016.
Later this year the port plans to start constructing a new tug berth to the west of Jellicoe wharf.
”The work we have done to improve productivity will be complemented by these new investments,” said Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson. ”They will enhance our capacity and enable us to cater for increased demand as it eventuates.”