Ports of Auckland Limited has been advised that Maersk is moving the Westbound call of its Tasman Star Service from Auckland to the Port of Tauranga from February 25 2012.
The change to this weekly service will mean the loss of 52 ship calls per year into Auckland and approximately 12,000 container moves annually, with the majority being transhipment moves. The change represents an overall revenue impact to Ports of Auckland of approximately $2.5 million annualised.
The current schedule for this service is:
Sydney/Melbourne/Auckland/Wellington/Lyttelton/Nelson/Auckland
The new schedule will be:
Sydney/Melbourne/Auckland/Wellington/Lyttelton/Nelson/Tauranga
Ports of Auckland CEO, Tony Gibson said that as signalled by Maersk the ongoing industrial issues remain a concern for Ports of Auckland customers who are demanding security and reliability in the supply chain. “This change underscores the need for flexibility in our operating model and a long-term sustainable solution to provide that certainty, security and increased productivity for our customers.”
“Maersk’s move is a sign of the business environment we are constantly operating in whereby Lines will review their service networks to get the optimal coverage and use of their assets. As a consequence we as a Port need to be flexible in our operational structure and ability to efficiently and sustainably service the demand peaks and troughs that are prevalent in shipping today. “
The Tasman Star service will change its Westbound call from Auckland to Tauranga on February 25thduring the week-long, ninth strike at Ports of Auckland announced by the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ – Local 13), which starts at 7:00am on 24 February.
ENDS
Ports of Auckland Ltd is New Zealand’s most important port, handling around 894,000 TEU (20ft-equivalent units), more than 1,500 ship calls and 3.5 m tonnes of break-bulk (non-containerised) cargo per annum. It is New Zealand’s leading import port and a key partner to export and import industries, as well as New Zealand’s premier cruise port and vehicle import gateway. Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Council Investments Ltd.
For more information contact:
Anne-Marie Petersen
Communications Advisor
P: 09 348 5393
M: 021 981 747
Dee Radhakrishnan
Communications Executive
P: 09 348 5247
M: 027 288 5596
After Hours Media Contact Number (5.30 pm – 8.00 am): 09 348 5040
