Tony Gibson, Ports of Auckland chief executive officer.

Ports of Auckland and Netlogix have joined forces to establish an open, collaborative supply chain network across New Zealand.

The joint venture, Nexus Logistics Limited, will provide independent container logistics and distribution services across the country, operating as an open platform, available to all stakeholders in the supply chain.

According to Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson, "This opens up new ground. With Nexus Logistics, we're connecting the dots - our partnership with Napier Port and Icepak at Longburn, the new cold store with Polarcold at Wiri and we're also well advanced working with parties to create a crossdock facility at Wiri. All of these combine to create an optimised and open supply chain."

"This investment provides us with a conduit to truly engage with cargo owners, while investing in the supply chain to reduce wasted capacity.

"There is an incredible amount of potential in the New Zealand supply chain that is not realised because of the widely acknowledged inefficiency of empty truck and container movements out of import-dominant Auckland to meet export container requirements. This inefficiency is borne, directly or indirectly, by all stakeholders in the import /export supply chain."

Netlogix chief executive Chinthaka Abeywickrama says a key aspect of the business model is maximising customer choice, underpinned by a strong open market principle and a commitment to operator independence.

"By developing the Wiri Intermodal Freight Hub further and utilising an optimal mix of road, rail and coastal transport capacities and services, Nexus Logistics will facilitate an efficient flow of cargo across New Zealand."