Exceptional growth in the cruise industry internationally has seen CentrePort Wellington receive a record number of ships this coming season, says CentrePort communications manager John Tulloch.
“Cruise line companies are building more ships to meet demand and all indicators are that the industry will continue to grow,” he says. CentrePort received 82 ship calls last season and this season 110 are booked.
John says CentrePort is capable of accommodating the growth ad can berth two cruise ships in per day with 24 double days expected this season.
In addition to berthing cruise ships, CentrePort also provides bunkering (refuelling) services for the cruise ship industry.
John says months of planning go into each season, with cruise ships typically arriving from October to March/April.
This includes working in closely with the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency to ensure city transport destinations for visitors are strategically located to avoid congestion problems.
This season CentrePort has capacity on port for 10 buses to be lined up ready to offer passengers free transport into Wellington city.
“Tourism has grown strongly in New Zealand for the past 20 years. The city really welcomes passengers as it’s a big boost to the economy – around $60 million each year,” says John.
CentrePort is a major player in the import and export supply chain, solving logistics challenges and helping customers to improve efficiency and minimise costs, says John.
It is not simply a gateway for the passage of cargoes but takes a role in transport logistics that extends well beyond the physical boundaries of the port. Close relationship with service providers throughout the shipping and logistics industries enables CentrePort to bring together key parties, in order to develop innovative supply chain solutions on its customers’ behalf.
“We are actively involved in helping customers streamline their operations at all stages, from preproduction to final delivery. “We work closely with them, seeking an in-depth understanding of their businesses and unique logistics requirements.
We then call upon our expertise and contacts with the aim helping our customers do business more effectively and, ultimately, more profitably,” explains John.
In addition to cruise ship facilities CentrePort’s offering includes a modern, fully equipped container terminal and dedicated conventional cargo wharves, container repair and storage depot, specialised container packing and unpacking service and facilities equipped to handle and store specialist cargoes such as bulk powders, forestry products, fresh produce and bulk liquids, including chemicals and petroleum. CentrePort facilitates the movement of around $15-20b worth of cargo each year.
Main cargo growth areas are logs, fuel and vehicles. In partnership with KiwiRail, CentrePort also offers CentreRail, a cost effective freight solution linking business with CentrePort.
CentrePort offers a modern, fully equipped container terminal and dedicated conventional cargo wharves.
The CentreRail service is a scheduled daily train service which links key trade areas in the lower North Island and upper South Island. The service is available to all export and import customers regardless of size, location or commodity.
“In the past it was up to customers to get their cargo to and from the port. This helps exporters, importers and the regional economy be more competitive,” explains John.
CentrePort offers hubs in Whanganui, the Wairarapa and New Plymouth. CentrePort also facilitates the Interislander and Strait NZ Bluebridge ferry services.
Around 240 people work in the port but on a wider level CentrePort is connected with around 21,000 downstream jobs in New Zealand. John says that port-related economic activity contributes $2.5b to GDP.
CentrePort has been working through issues to facilities caused by the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Damaged buildings have been demolished and land remediation work undertaken.
John says a waste minimisation strategy has been implemented and all waste concrete has been recycled, transformed into gravel then reused in the port.
So far 42,000 tonnes of concrete has been recycled. “To put that in perspective this is more concrete than was used to build the Sky Tower,” says John.
He says the earthquake has also brought opportunities to the port resulting in the chance to reconfigure the facility to make it more user friendly. CentrePort is presently undertaking a regeneration plan to determine the best way to develop the facility into the future.
This article was brought to you in association with the following businesses…
- Crawford Carrying Company
- Gough Materials Handling
- Dixon & Dunlop
