Container volumes at Ports of Auckland reached a new high of 843,590 TEU, an increase of 0.3%, with terminal division volumes up 2.1%.

Ports of Auckland has announced a net profit after tax (NPAT) of NZD5.4 million for the year ended 30 June 2009, compared to NZD21.1 million in 2007/08.

EBITDA for the container division, the largest part of the business, was up 1.4% on the previous year. Overall container volumes reached a new high of 843,590 TEU, an increase of 0.3%, with terminal division volumes up 2.1%.

According to MD Jens Madsen, the port has increased its share of the upper-North Island container market from 59% to 61%, and now holds 36% of the entire New Zealand container market.

"Ports of Auckland is emerging from a challenging transitional period to a position of renewed strength, and with a focus on capturing new opportunities," he adds.

He says productivity continues to improve, with the average crane rate up 6.6%, straddle carrier moves per hour up 4.6% and staff hours per container down 7.7%.

"We are a significantly leaner and more efficient port than we were 12 months ago."

"We are quite pleased by recent positive trends in trade volumes. In the month of August 2009, we handled 60,698 TEU through our container division - an all-time high for August."

'We anticipate further strengthening of trade volumes as a result of Fonterra's decision to route more business through Ports of Auckland."