A New Port at Clifford Bay would Benefit Wellington

A New Port at Clifford Bay would Benefit Wellington

The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the news that the government is investigating the development of a port at Clifford Bay and says it must be opened up to all shipping lines.

“This has been on the Chamber’s agenda for many years. It would have significant economic benefits for both Wellington and the country overall,” said Chamber CEO, Ken Harris.

“A port at Clifford Bay would reduce travel time between Wellington and most of the South Island due to both the shortened road and sea components of the journey.

“Shorter travel times would translate into greater efficiency and increased throughput and would provide a boost to both Marlborough and Wellington as well as to the economy as a whole.

“It is likely that ferries would still travel from Wellington to Picton boosting that town’s potential as a tourist destination enabling Clifford Bay to focus on freight and longer haul passengers.

“It is important that all shipping lines have access to the new port and not just KiwiRail. There is currently competition on the Wellington to Picton route and this must translate to Clifford Bay. The route must not be restricted to a rail link.

“A new port would enhance coastal shipping which is a relatively untapped mode of transport in New Zealand. Travelling south by coast all the way to Lyttleton is not an option for some cargos.

“Because of its strategic location at Cook Strait Wellington is well placed to service coastal and international shipping and Clifford Bay would enhance this potential.

“There would also be significant environmental gains in the form of reduced emissions stemming from the shorter distances travelled, the proportional shift from land transport to lower-emission sea transport, as well as reduced ecological damage to the Marlborough Sounds shoreline.

“Today’s announcement has been a long time coming. We are confident that the Ministry of Transport study will show the proposal stacks up. It would be great if construction commenced within three years as estimated by the Minister,” Mr Harris concluded.

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