As Hawke’s Bay and its communities mark the one-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, the Napier Port team and I thank you for your ongoing investment in the company.
A year ago, we were the only entry point into Napier, and the region was relying on us for urgent medical supplies, fuel, and recovery equipment. Our generators were powering our operations, keeping customers’ cargo chilled on port, and powering the regional airport and local medical centres. We became a base for the NZ Army and Navy’s emergency response. The first fuel tanker and container vessel were back in port within days, and within three weeks, the first cruise vessel had returned.
In the months that followed, a temporary coastal shipping vessel connected Gisborne exporters with Napier Port’s international shipping services, while the East Coast roads were under repair. With the rail line disrupted for a time from Hastings to the port, we established a replacement roading solution, which ensured most of the cargo that is transported to Napier Port by rail, continued to arrive.
I am proud of what the team achieved under challenging circumstances, and the year again reinforced the underlying resilience of Napier Port to get our job done.
We look forward to continuing to deliver for you, and here is a snapshot of our current activity:
One of our largest customers, Pan Pac Forest Products, began partial lumber operations in January 2024 and their first export shipment is due to depart this week. They have advised pulp operations are expected to start in March, with the company fully operational by the end of calendar year, 2024.
The new season’s agricultural and horticultural produce will be arriving in coming months, and early pipfruit indications are pointing to healthy volumes; the first apple export shipment of the season is due out this week.
Log exports picked up in the fourth quarter of 2023 and that momentum has continued. A new forestry export customer has started, and forest estates in our catchment area are still maturing. Our value-add log debarking service, which strips bark off logs for export, is in high demand.
This cruise season is set to be our busiest on record, with 90 ships and about 150,000 passengers expected to visit, and we have confidence in this industry’s growth and bright future. Next week, we celebrate the 1000th cruise visit and 30 years of cruise into Napier.
Our new wharf, Te Whiti, has improved our operational flexibility and efficiency, as well as availability of wharf space. As a result, we can be more dynamic in how we use our assets and allocate resources to meet demand. This allows us to adapt and accept new cargo, such as wood chips.
Road and rail to Napier Port are back online, although we continue to advocate for an improved SH5 between Napier and Taupo, which is a critical transport link between our region and the wider upper North Island.
Utilisation of Viewpoint Supply Chain – Napier Port’s landside road, rail, and warehousing services for customers – is growing, and is a key part of our strategy to grow Napier Port’s presence into the central North Island and hinterlands.
At the United Nations summit meeting in September 2015, world leaders adopted 17 global goals (and 169 targets) as a set of universal goals that aim to address the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world. These are known as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A year ago, we were the only entry point into Napier, and the region was relying on us for urgent medical supplies, fuel, and recovery equipment. Our generators were powering our operations, keeping customers’ cargo chilled on port, and powering the regional airport and local medical centres. We became a base for the NZ Army and Navy’s emergency response. The first fuel tanker and container vessel were back in port within days, and within three weeks, the first cruise vessel had returned.
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