Port Taranaki on the west coast of New Zealand has decided to quit container services completely to focus on its bulk and offshore business, New Zealand news media Stuff has reported.
The port had suspended container trade services in October 2014 and has since then been maintaining container transfer services. The company is expected to close its container transfer site at the end of January.
According to Guy Roper, CEO of Port Taranaki, the introduction of larger container vessels, the development of inland ports, and the increased use of rail transport at ports have all promoted the company’s decision to withdraw from container business.
“Container services rely on scale and throughput, and with the changes to the national supply chain, we have been unable to secure sufficient trade to attract shipping lines. As a result we will no longer seek to recommence a container shipping service,” Roper said.
“After examining our position in the container sector and what we believe are permanent changes to the New Zealand supply chain, investing in future capability to be competitive, such as machinery and systems, was not viable,” said the company’s chairman Peter Dryden.
Port Taranaki will now focus on our dry bulk shipping, tanker shipping and the support of the offshore oil and gas sector.
