Auckland announces dual servicing plan for larger vessels

Ports of Auckland Ltd is preparing to service the next generation of container vessels by confirming a multi-million dollar investment in a berth deepening and lengthening programme.

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 40 m.

The investment is another step by Ports of Auckland in ensuring it is able to meet the needs of its customers, said Jens Madsen, Ports of Auckland's CEO.

“It was clear that more vessels in the 3,500-5,500 teu range will be introduced into New Zealand services over the coming years and this trend will result in the requirement for major ports to be able to accommodate two such vessels simultaneously. This need is now more pressing than the need to accommodate the arrival of single larger vessels of 6000 teu and above,” he added.

Madsen said the investment will ensure sufficient depth along the full length of the Fergusson terminal to reliably accommodate vessels as draughts deepen. The maximum vessel draught at chart datum on the outer berth will be increased from 11.7 m to13 m. This will be in addition to the current maximum vessel draught at chart datum for the inner berth of 12.5 m.

The ‘dolphin’ construction – a mooring structure separate from the main wharf - will ensure vessels can be safely moored on the outer berth with a greater overhang than the current scenario.

Ports of Auckland is New Zealand's largest container port, holding 63% market share of the upper North Island container trade.
(Source:www.container-mag.com)