We have a busy season ahead and with KiwiRail Block of Line (BOL) being longer than usual this summer we wanted to give you an update on the planning we’re doing and how you can help keep the supply chain moving.
Container Terminal demand
We are already seeing pressure on berth space with several larger services arriving ‘off window’ and high demand affecting our ability to regain any lost time.
The Container Terminal will be closed from 1900 hours 24th December (Christmas Eve) and reopening 0700 26th December 2024 (Boxing Day) so that our staff can spend Christmas with family. We expect shipping lines will want to have services completed and sailing ahead of the closure so, in preparation we’re managing exchange sizes and will be more proactive in planning operations.
To help us we need shipping lines to confirm exchange sizes with advance notice and insist that cargo cut offs are adhered to. If a vessel is delayed arriving, we will stop cargo receivals and reopen when a confirmed berthing time is known. We cannot hold export units in the yard for extended periods of time as we need to manage yard capacity.
Rolling of containers and/or discharging of other ports import volume will be avoided at all costs to protect yard capacity.
For empties moving from the ‘Link Facility’ to export receipt, we insist that the cargo cut off times are followed. We must have a minimum of 48 hours’ notice of units to be positioned from Link storage to export load status and we will not be able to accept changes after the cut off.
KiwiRail Block of Line (BOL) Dates:
The closure of Rail over this period happens most years and over extended holiday weekends however this year the length of time that the BOL will be in place is longer than usual.
- Christmas BOL
- Full Rail Closure
- Period: 27 December 2024 – 02 January 2025
- Extended BOL
- Full Closure: Southdown (Penrose) to Wiri / Hamilton / TRG
- Period: 03 January 2025 – 22 January 2025
- Auckland Anniversary BOL
- Full Rail Closure
- Period: 23 January 2025 – 27 January 2025
We have canvassed shipping lines, trucking companies and KiwiRail over recent weeks to better understand what the impacts might be for the port. We expect that there will be an increase in road demand however we are unsure how overall cargo volume demand might change.
In preparation for the BOL, we have deferred non-critical infrastructure and IT projects throughout the month of January and are working to manage labour to maximise capacity.
We expect a decline in import deliveries due to the four public holidays falling on Wednesday and Thursday across two consecutive weeks. The public holidays will likely result in reduced truck movements and limited distribution centre operations however we’re continuing to engage with industry partners to maximise throughput and minimise potential delays in the supply chain.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our team remain committed to maintaining efficient cargo delivery and minimising potential disruptions to your supply chain operations.
Please share this message to others in your organisation so they are aware of how we’re intending to manage the demand moving forward.
We will provide further updates as necessary from time to time across the period.