Napier likely to go ahead with second container berth

The Port of Napier looks likely to go ahead with a second container berth, after a commitment from shipping line Maersk to resume services with large container ships.

It had been feared Maersk would pull out of Napier as part of a service review, but instead the company confirmed the continuation of a weekly service and a return to the big ships that were used until February.

Port chief executive Garth Cowie said the return of 281m long Albatross-class container vessels making weekly visits to Napier would increase the number of available container slots for exporters through Napier, particularly in the seasonal peak to cater for growing apple, meat, dairy and horticultural products.

The port has been provisionally planning a second container berth but has not made a final decision to go ahead.

Industry sources said the announcement meant it was now expected that the second berth would be built, as the port had confirmed a substantial trade into the future, The Dominion Post reported today.

Mr Cowie would not comment on the second berth, except to say that the port was reviewing its options.

The strength of the Hawke's Bay economy, and the wider hinterland, was the key point that had persuaded Maersk to retain and improve its services to Napier.

- NZPA