Wharf development

About the project

The 6 Wharf expansion project will enable us to address current operational constraints, capitalise on future growth opportunities and continue to support our customers, and therefore Hawke’s Bay and its surrounding regions. The project is planned to commence at the end of 2019, and on the basis of this commencement date, is expected to be completed in 2022.

Trade volumes at the Port, along with the number of vessel visits and size of vessels calling at the Port, have grown over the last ten years. As part of this growth, we have been experiencing shipping congestion issues, resulting in us holding vessels out at anchor and needing to move vessels to accommodate the movement of other vessels. 6 Wharf will provide a robust and versatile long-term solution to assist in reducing these existing operational constraints and inefficiencies.

The key operational benefits of 6 Wharf include:

  • Reduced congestion: 6 Wharf will significantly improve operating efficiency by reducing secondary vessel movements (temporarily moving vessels off wharves to accommodate other vessels) by an estimated 100 movements per year and providing capacity to handle an increased number of ship visits
  • Ability to handle larger vessels: 6 Wharf will be able to handle container ships up to 320 metres in length and cruise ships up to 360 metres in length. The Port has received resource consent to dredge up to 14.5m in the swing basin and harbour entrance in order to accommodate larger vessels
  • Extending the Port’s container vessel capacity: the utilisation level of 5 Wharf, the Port’s current container wharf, was 66 percent during the summer peak period in 2018/2019, which is above the standard industry threshold for new investment in capacity of 60 percent utilisation
  • Allowing berthing 24-hours per day: larger container vessels movements around the Port are currently limited to daylight hours
  • Operational agility: 6 Wharf will be multi-purpose, being used for both container and cruise ships, and will be able to adapt to potential future needs of the Port, including being capable of supporting twin lift gantry cranes
  • Operational resilience: in addition to increasing berthing options, 6 Wharf’s design improves the Port’s potential resilience to a significant seismic event.

6 Wharf will be a multi-purpose 350 metre length wharf, planned to be located along the northern face of the existing container terminal. The 6 Wharf development will include a dredging programme, which will create a new vessel turning area. The project has received all resource consents expected to be required, with other construction related consents such as building consents still to be obtained.

Resource consent, studies and technical reports

Read the resource consent application, decision and the studies and technical reports commissioned as part of our resource consent application in the library.

Environmental monitoring

We are currently producing comprehensive, best practice management plans to ensure we manage against potential adverse environmental effects as a result of construction and dredging.

These build on the scientific studies and technical reports we undertook before applying for resource consents, which you can read in our library.

The port will also monitor water quality at Pania Reef – a site of cultural significance to mana whenua hapū and an important site for kai moana – during 6 Wharf construction and dredging to ensure turbidity levels (water clarity) do not exceed current levels. You can check out the environmental dashboard here.

6 Wharf updates

For updates on the 6 Wharf project and to sign up to our mailing list, go here.