Newsletter #433 (View other news stories)
Madsen sets record straight
Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
Thursday, 22 Oct 2009
 Jens Madsen, Ports of Auckland MD |
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Jens Madsen, Ports of Auckland MD, has rejected certain information provided to the market by a research unit about the port’s future capacity and capital expenditure requirements.
According to Madsen, research unit AspectHuntley’s statement that Port of Tauranga was capable of handling larger ships with lower capital investment than Ports of Auckland is incorrect.
"AspectHuntley’s claim that Ports of Auckland needs to spend AUD200 million on dredging to accommodate the new generation of larger container vessels is untrue."
Madsen says the Rangitoto channel is already capable of taking the larger vessels within tidal windows comparable to those regularly applied at a number of other international ports.
"Ports of Auckland has already completed a major channel dredging project and invested in new cranes and straddles.
"We are fortunate that the Waitemata Harbour has a substantial tidal range and, as a consequence, the depth of water at high tide is greater than at most other New Zealand ports.
"We only need to deepen a berth pocket and undertake minor wharf strengthening work at the Fergusson terminal, at a cost of less than AU/NZD?50million, in order to cater for the larger ships, when it becomes necessary. Consents for this work are in place and detailed design will shortly be underway."
Ports of Auckland has eight container cranes, the three largest of which are already capable of servicing 6,000 TEU vessels. A further two require only minor modifications to do so, according to Madsen.
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