Eastland Port is ready to support exporters with container capability, offering a resilient pathway to market at a time when regional infrastructure remains vulnerable.
The recent arrival of a new Government-funded container handler marks a significant lift in the port’s ability to move containerised cargo at scale. With continued uncertainty around the roading network in all directions of our region, the port is positioned to provide a reliable alternative supply chain through the East Coast.
Eastland Port Chief Executive Officer Andrew Gaddum said the investment was about providing certainty for regional businesses.
“Exporters need reliability. With key transport corridors under pressure, the ability to ship containers directly out of Tairāwhiti gives businesses another viable route to market,” said Mr Gaddum.
“We are ready to support commercial volumes and to work with growers, exporters and freight partners who want resilient, regionally based solutions.
“The top lifter only represents about 20% of the funding we have been awarded, the balance will be used for structural upgrades of Wharf 8 to allow the mobile harbour cranes to run the full length of the wharf and further mobile plant once a coastal shipping service has been secured.”
However theThe enhanced capability is already being put to use, with kiwifruit exports set to move through the port in the coming weeks.
“We are excited about the upcoming kiwifruit season. The next step is industry support, and we hope Zespri will work with us to ensure Tairāwhiti growers can export increasing volumes through their local port and utilise our new container handling ability,” Mr Gaddum said.
Seeka Chief Executive, Michael Franks said the company was delighted that the Port had made the investment in infrastructure noting that alongside this investment, that Seeka was now looking to invest further in local fruit handling infrastructure and capacity to enable more of the locally grown produce to be able to be handled in the region.
“The fragility of roading infrastructure was a fact, and it made absolute sense to build local capacity and infrastructure to deliver economic resilience,” said Mr Franks.
The new container handler was delivered through a $5 million central government investment directly into Eastland Port to strengthen the region’s freight resilience and expand container handling capability.
National MP Dana Kirkpatrick said the investment demonstrates confidence in the region’s infrastructure and export potential.
“The addition of the container handling equipment at the Port is exactly the kind of example of resilience and diversification that our region needs.
“As we move to new technologies and strengthen New Zealand’s supply chain we are bolstering productivity and efficiency which leads to greater economic return for our region.
“Government has been intent on delivering support to the coastal shipping network across New Zealand through the $30million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund.
“The the fund invests in projects which enhance the sector’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from events that could disrupt New Zealand’s freight system.
“I am pleased that Eastland Port is one of these and the new equipment brings another option for our freight sector and for the suppliers, farmers, orchardists, wood technology manufacturers who will need transport options to expand our exports and grow our economic return, particularly in a region where transportation disruption can be a challenge,” she said.
Mr Gaddum said the port’s focus remains on partnership.
“To support a regular vessel call, we need to build a base volume of around 50 to 60 containers per visit, with a similar number of empties returning on the vessel,” said Mr Gaddum.
Growers, freight partners and exporters interested in exploring containerised export opportunities can contact Eastland Port at port.services@eastland.nz.
