Source: Radio New Zealand
Gisborne’s Eastland Port is celebrating the arrival of a container handler to move cargo at the port. supplied
Growers in the Gisborne region have a long-awaited alternative to road transport to get their produce out of the region.
The arrival of a new government-funded top lifter at Eastland Port is ramping up activity ahead of the busy kiwifruit harvest at the port’s harbourside yards.
Chief executive Andrew Gaddum said the company will now compete directly with trucking operators as it increases container volumes through the port.
Traditionally a logging port, it now sees potential to expand into the produce market.
“We haven’t had the gear to move containers around the port, but access to this funding has given us both the alternative to build a bit of resilience for the region. And at the same time, getting exports out of the region on boats, rather than being trucked,” Gaddum said.
“We’re leaning on Zespri pretty heavily to get containers on some of the ships they put through the port, to start making use of this equipment.”
Logging ships headed to China and Korea and charter Zespri ships currently use the port to move bulk kiwifruit in pallets.
“We’re looking to expand that more into the container space,” he said.
“Initially, we’re hoping we’ll see an uptick in volumes out of Kiwifruit.”
Kiwifruit operator Seeka says it’s investing in fruit handling infrastructure in Gisborne to see more locally grown produce handled in the region. SUPPLIED/ZESPRI
The region’s roads have been hammered recently and its expanded operations provide alternatives when the severe weather hits.
It’s estimated around $8 million per day in GDP is lost when State Highway 2 through the Waioeka Gorge between Opotiki and Gisborne is closed.
If the highway is closed for a week, the wider economic impact can exceed $50 million.
The port now has the facilities through its new heavy machinery which arrived within the past three weeks.
The Eastland Port company said there will be more activity to come, with its second berth to open shortly.
The Twin Berth development has been in the pipeline for the past decade, and it will mark a significant milestone with two 180-metre long ships to berth at the same time.
Logs fill the space at Eastland Port in central Gisborne. RNZ / Tom Kitchin
“That’ll be in the next couple of weeks. There’s a bunch of stuff coming together at one time which is exciting for the region,” Gaddum said.
“We’ve had our fair share of knocks, to be honest, but we’re trying to stand things up.
“We’re right at the start of this and we’re working with a bunch of regional exporters and wood processors to see how we can build a base of volume to attract some services into the region.”
Kiwifruit exporter Seeka says it’s now looking to invest further in local fruit handling infrastructure and capacity.
While National MP Dana Kirkpatrick said the investment demonstrates confidence in the region’s infrastructure and export potential.
“We’ve got plans for substantially more than that as we bring the volume on we’ll bring the kit on to meet the volume demand,” she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
