Ports of Auckland is preparing to service the next generation of container vessels by confirming a multi-million dollar investment in a berth deepening and lengthening program.
The investment will see the deepening of the northern berth at the Port's Fergusson Container Terminal, and the construction of a mooring ‘dolphin' that will extend the maximum combined length of vessels able to be serviced simultaneously at the terminal by approximately forty metres.
According to Ports of Auckland's chief executive Jens Madsen, more vessels in the 3,500 - 5,500 TEU range will be introduced into New Zealand services over the coming years, which means that the need for major ports to be able to accommodate two such vessels simultaneously is more pressing than the need to accommodate the arrival of single larger vessels of 6,000 TEU and above.
The maximum vessel draught at low tide on the outer berth will be increased from 11.7 metres to 13 metres. This will be in addition to the current maximum vessel draught at low tide for the inner berth of 12.5 metres.
Ports of Auckland is New Zealand's largest container port, with a 63% market share of the upper North Island container trade.
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