Ports of Auckland and KiwiRail celebrate new rail

Ports of Auckland and KiwiRail celebrate new rail link

The Wiri to Waitemata seaport rail link, which was officially opened today, will provide benefits to Ports of Auckland, its customers and the wider supply chain, says Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen.

“This new rail link to and from the Wiri Freight Hub brings the seaport right to the doorstep of businesses in South Auckland,” Mr Madsen told guests at the opening ceremony today.

“This represents a new era for our customers and for us.

“It will offer greater efficiencies and flexibility for exporters and importers who are able to drop off and pick up containers without having to negotiate the Auckland motorways,” Mr Madsen said.

“By using the Wiri Freight Hub as a staging post, it will free up room at the Waitemata seaport which is good news also for the whole supply chain as it helps position Ports of Auckland for future growth.”

Containers are now able to be moved to and from the seaport by rail, saving as many as 100,000 central city truck trips per annum when functioning to capacity. Mr Madsen said carbon emission modelling by Ports of Auckland had shown big potential savings for businesses close to the Wiri Inland Port.

“A lot of our current customers are based within 10 kilometres of the inland port. By using the rail link to the seaport, this group will be able to reduce the carbon emissions of transporting their containers by up to 40%, and on average by 25%,” he said.

The rail link was officially opened by the Minister of Transport Steven Joyce, with guests including KiwiRail Chairman Jim Bolger.

Mr Bolger said that the new rail exchange had the potential to create some fundamental changes to the landscape of Auckland’s transport patterns.

“Our strengths in long haul are readily portrayed by activities out on the wider network, as demonstrated by the fact that we move a third of New Zealand’s export goods. Here we have an effective solution over a short distance that provides a viable proposition for our customers.

“Short-haul shuttle services that relieve pressure on congested urban roads are increasingly becoming part of the way we do business. We have other successful initiatives underway here in Auckland and in urban centres elsewhere around the country.”

The Wiri Freight Hub is managed by CONLINXX, a joint venture between Ports of Auckland (70% owner) and NZL Group (30% owner). It has been established as a container logistics business tasked with delivering increased value through rail transport between Wiri and the sea port, efficient and secure container storage and handling processes 24/7, track and trace facilities and improved information systems and technology.

ENDS

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