Media release – 8 December 2016

Whanganui Port pleased to transport essential product following Kaikoura earthquake

Coastal Bulk Shipping, which has moved cargo around New Zealand from the Whanganui Port since 2008, has been approached to transport shipments of grain between the South Island and North Island, following rail damage after the Kaikoura earthquake.

Coastal Bulk Shipping Manager Doug Smith has been approached by several grain suppliers asking him to move products from Lyttleton to Whanganui using his coastal vessel, the Anatoki.

Prior to the earthquake, the grain was transported by rail and then ferried across the Cook Straight to Wellington for transportation to Marton and Levin.

Whanganui Port Limited Chair Annette Main says the ability for Coastal Bulk Shipping to transport the grain shows how essential regional ports like Whanganui are, especially when a natural disaster strikes.

“That Whanganui can help get products to where they need to be when other infrastructure is damaged proves that our port has huge potential as an alternative North Island to South Island cargo route.

“It also reinforces Whanganui District Council’s decision to invest in our port and we hope the use of the Anatoki for shipping grain for North Island distribution will be a long-term opportunity.”

The Anatoki arrived in port early today and the grain was unloaded onto the recently upgraded Wharf One.

The Whanganui Port is currently undergoing planning for a revitalisation in partnership with the Whanganui District Holdings, Iwi, Government, private businesses and our community.

For more information, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz/port

ENDS

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