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The new $45 million berth at Port of Napier will provide for increased throughput to continuing direct international services along with efficient and cost effective solutions to exporters and importers in Hawkes Bay and beyond.

The new berth was officially opened by Minister of Transport Steven Joyce.

Port of Napier chairman Jim Scotland told guests at the opening that the Port was in a stronger position with the new berth to service existing business and attract new business throughout the central and lower North Island.

“Our task is to be even more efficient, continue to improve our performance to our customers and provide our shareholders with a commercial rate of return on their investment.

“Yes, some changes in container terminals and perhaps ports, will occur at some time in the future, but the real benefits, risks and opportunities need to be more widely debated,” Mr Scotland said.

The Port of Napier’s throughput is mainly bulk and break bulk cargo.

Port chief executive Garth Cowie said the completion of the new berth put the responsibility on management to use the facility to the maximum extent possible. 

“The increased flexibility of the multi-purpose berth and supporting land provides a new chapter in the Port’s strategic planning for the future. 

“It’s our vision to grow and develop the Port with the undoubted support of importers and exporters within the region and international shipping lines.

Having a multi-purpose facility capable of providing a wide range of shipping services to worldwide markets for both bulk, container and cruise customers is a must in today’s dynamic and ever changing environment. 

“This new facility is one part of the continuing development needed for the port, as it looks forward towards the year 2050. 

The multi-purpose berth and reclamation will assist the handling of new container, bulk cargo and cruise ship business.

It future proofs the port and will be a major boost for the local economy.

“The additional heavy duty multi-purpose berth gives the port many new trade and growth prospects.

“It is designed to cater for a wide range of vessels and cargo,” Mr Cowie said.

The development is the largest project carried out by the port during the past three decades.

It transforms what was the old Herrick finger pier into an extended berth with a large loading platform that will allow container cranes and heavy-lift fork-lifts to operate and the servicing of two container ships at the same time.

The berth is bolstered by a 1.4 hectare reclamation of support land and has ground slot storage capacity of around 800 containers or alternatively approximately 15,000 tonnes of logs.  It is also capable of handling the requirements of moving cruise vessel visitors to tourism destinations throughout Hawke’s Bay.

The berth itself is 270 metres long. The project was approved by the Company shareholders in December 2007 and was completed five months ahead of schedule.

A family fishing competition was held to celebrate the berth opening. 

Proceeds from entry fees went to Child Cancer Foundation (Hawke’s Bay).