CBAFF welcomes port decision as ‘common sense approach’

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release

7 March 2012

CBAFF welcomes port decision as ‘common sense approach’

Ports of Auckland’s decision to introduce competitive stevedoring was the only way to avoid further damage to New Zealand’s international reputation, says the Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand.

CBAFF president Willie van Heusden said that the escalating dispute had been “constricting the life blood of the country’s import and export industry”.

“It appears that at long last there is a resolution and the industry knows, with some certainty, that operations will be back to normal at POAL within two months,” said Mr van Heusden.

“The action has been seriously affecting New Zealand’s supply chain and damaging our international reputation and this was the inevitable and the common sense approach to resolving it.

“It is very sad that it has come to this but, while it is all very well to make a stand for ideology, we simply can’t afford to do that in New Zealand.

“We are geographically isolated and heavily dependent on our import and exports. It is absolutely essential that Auckland, our major port, is an efficient, productive operation run to modern international standards.

“Ultimately, we would expect this move to lead to the promised productivity gains, reduced costs for shipping lines and an increase in available berth slots for additional services. There should also be further benefits to the trucking community and, all in all, an efficient functioning port.

“Hopefully all parties can now move forward and draw on the import export synergies between Auckland and Tauranga for the benefit of New Zealand.”

ENDS

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