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Timaru gains new shipping service
German shipping line Hamburg Sud has just announced that Timaru has been selected as the
South Island port call for the new “Trident” service. This is a fixed day
fortnightly service that links directly to American and European destinations. Hamburg Sud
have selected PrimePort Timaru to give optimum access to export cargo sources and maximum
flexibility in the South Island. Whereas coverage for strategic transshipment options is
an important factor for choosing Tauranga over Auckland. Napier retains its position as
the important fruit, meat and central North Island catchment port call.
Hamburg Sud will soon be sailing into
Timaru with their new “Trident” service.
“The Trident service comprises of six 2,000 to 2,500 TEU vessels each fitted with
at least 350 plugs for reefer containers to take account of the growing market for
refrigerated cargo.
The full port rotation for the new service will therefore be as follows: Auckland
Sydney Melbourne Timaru Napier Tauranga Cartagena - Savannah Philadelphia Tilbury
Bremerhaven Antwerp Philadelphia Savannah Cartagena - Auckland.
PrimePort Timaru Chief Executive Jeremy Boys was delighted that Timaru had been
selected as the single South Island port call for the Trident service. “This
further reinforces our strategic location in the centre of the South Island among a
growing cargo base. It is also a vote of confidence in our reputation as a port that
delivers high productivity levels and fast vessel turnaround to our shipping
customers.” The new service is scheduled to begin during the first week of March
2006.
Tasman Orient Maintain once aweek calls in Timar
Asian specialist container and breakbulk operator Tasman Orient Line have retained an
effective weekly call through Timaru while many other shipping lines are announcing
major service and schedule changes. The combined breakbulk and container service direct
to and from Asia provides attractive options for customers, with direct calls to Timaru
by the North Asia service providing links to Japan, Korea, and Northern China. The East
Asia service also provides direct links for Timaru shippers to Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, Taiwan China and Hong Kong.
Maersk New Zealand Worldservice enhance
Maersk Line have announced their new service plans following the acquisition of P&O
Nedlloyd. The strong partnership with Timaru has been maintained and is reflected by a
strengthened fixed day weekly call to Asia on the New Zealand service NZ 1 string. This
will be a prime link to all parts of Asia, Mediterranean, Africa and Europe via the hub
Malaysian port of Tanjung Pelepas for customers throughout the South Island. This
service will also provide a connection for Timaru shippers to the new Maersk Line
pendulum service to America and Europe via the Panama Canal.
Annual results show a consolidation period
The future remains bright for PrimePort Timaru despite a reduction in profit being
announced at the company’s AGM held on the 29th of September. Nett profit before
tax for the financial year ended 30 June 2005 reduced to $1.16m, down from $1.91m in
2004.
PrimePort Chairman, Sid McAuley, emphasised that the Port had experienced a sustained
period of growth in the previous 5 year period, including posting a record profit last
year. “This years result should be viewed as being a period of
consolidation,” said Mr McAuley. He reiterated that the reduced profit was
primarily due to an increase in the cost of operating the business and in particular
enforced compliance costs, which were now having real impact on the margin.
Sid McAuley
PrimePort Timaru has continued to invest in its core infrastructure with $3.8m spent
on items of plant, IT development and the completion of the South Beach Dairy Store
and Container Depot. Mr McAuley said “the Port maintained a commitment to investment
in key infrastructure to ensure it continued to deliver a first class service to all
customers.”
During the year the PrimePort Dairy Store was sold with a secure long term lease back
to the Port. The sale, completed after balance date meant that proceeds would not be
accounted for until the 2006 financial year. Mr McAuley confirmed that these capital
proceeds would be reinvested back into core port infrastructure.
At the AGM Chief Executive Jeremy Boys noted that consolidation of cargo had occurred
across most trades with volumes at similar levels to the previous year. Mr Boys paid
tribute to the Ports regular customers and in particular the liner services of Maersk
Sealand and Tasman Orient Line. “Of particular note was the introduction during
the year of Tasman Orients East Asia service to Timaru which compliments the existing
North Asian service and provides shippers with a weekly breakbulk and container service
into the major ports of Asia”, Mr Boys said.
Jeremy Boys
In looking forward Mr Boys remained confident that PrimePort Timaru was well
positioned to take advantage of the evolving shipping environment. “We have
invested heavily in infrastructure and staffing in recent years, this combined with the
relationships we have built with our customers and our location in the centre of an
expanding export cargo base provides us with some exciting opportunities for the
future.”
Captain Dunn remembered
PrimePort Timaru's chief pilot and marine manager Captain Roger Dunn died suddenly in
Timaru on October 29, 2005.
Captain Roger Dunn
Captain Dunn was a respected and key member of PrimePort’s management team and
worked for 17 years in a variety of posts of responsibility. He was appointed marine
manager in 1997, having joined the port’s staff as a pilot when he moved to
Timaru in 1989. Captain Dunn was also a Search and Rescue co-ordinator, and more
recently he was elected to the national executive of the Merchant Service Guild. In
1996 he obtained a Graduate Diploma in Business (Shipping) from the Australian Maritime
College. In the last two years he took on the responsibility for introducing new
international security requirements at the port and led Timaru to be only the second
port in New Zealand to be accredited.
Captain Dunn’s direction and piloting was held in high esteem by those involved
in shipping and the wider port industry throughout New Zealand. The Port expressed deep
sadness at Roger’s passing. “Roger set high standards, and he had a great
rapport with everyone he came into contact with. He made a difficult job, often in bad
weather, seem easy. His dry humour and capability for practical jokes will be
missed.”
Captain Dunn is survived by his wife Eve and four adult children Morgan, Matthew,
Martin and Georgina.
Footnote
Due to the sudden death of Senior Pilot Roger Dunn, Rodger Laycock has temporarily
returned to the port to assist in a relieving role until a replacement pilot is
appointed.
Port grain facilities amalgamated
PrimePort Timaru and grain company SGS New Zealand have entered into a partnership
that will amalgamate the grain storage and handling operations of the two companies at
the Port. This will provide greater efficiency in grain handling at the Port and should
lead to increased activity and volume of turnover.
SGS is moving its grain operation from the North Mole to use PrimePort’s facilities
adjacent to the inner harbour. The formal partnership will see SGS manage the grain
storage silos on behalf of PrimePort and also relocate its drying and testing facilities.
PrimePort Timaru has the only export bulk handling and grain storage facility in New
Zealand, with both parties having invested in the changes they are keen to see the
20,000 tonne storage facilities well utilised by the local grain industry.
SGS hope to further expand their business locally, managing director Peter Hart said
he was pleased with the way the Timaru operation was growing. “When your base gets
to a certain size it makes good sense to continue the investment.” Federated
Farmers were also keen to see the continuity of service, Mr Hart said.
SGS New Zealand business manager Murray Roberts, who is based in Timaru, said the
company had sold all but four of the 26 silos on the North Mole and the site was
currently being cleared. “The business was originally started there in 1967 by
Theo Bleeker when he started drying grain in the back of a converted bus. Of course
back then it was among the tussock,” Mr Roberts said.
PrimePort's 20,000 tonne silo complex
SGS is a leading international inspection, verification, testing and certification
company. With 42, employees worldwide it operates a network of about 1000 offices and
laboratories.
In Timaru the company has a diverse operation with a wool-testing facility at
Washdyke, its grain operation at PrimePort and an oil, gas and petroleum business. SGS
also does marine inspections, and has a permanent staff of 16 in Timaru and employs a
number of casual staff during the peak season.
The former SGS site on the North Mole will be used for additional container storage
as the port’s container activities are predicted to continue growing. PrimePort
Container Terminal Manager Mark Babbington explained “that with the additional
space from the SGS site plus the recent depot development at Southbeach we will have the
infrastructure in place to handle over 100,000 TEU's per year.”
Customer Column
Maersk New Zealand
Ronnie Moore
Looking back 2005 has been a very eventful year. The main highlight has been the
purchase of Royal P&O Nedlloyd. This brings new and exciting times for the shipping
industry and of course our customers. We will continue to inform the market of future
developments and would encourage you to look at our website:
www.maersksealand.com
We wish to acknowledge the staff and management of PrimePort Timaru who have provided
us with the infrastructure needed to provide a quality service to all our customers. As
we look ahead, 2006 is shaping up to be a promising and exciting year for Maersk New
Zealand Limited.
As 2005 is coming to an end I would like to, on behalf of Maersk New Zealand Limited,
thank our customers and service providers for their continued support. The management
and staff would like to wish everyone an enjoyable festive season and we look forward
to working with you and our partners at PrimePort Timaru in 2006.
Merry Christmas
Ronnie A.Moore
Assistant Manager, Sales South lsland
Tasman Orient Line
Kathy Guard
The past year has been a busy one for Tasman Orient Line in Timaru, with the
introduction of our East Asia services to PrimePort in June. This new service has been
well received by our customers and compliments our existing offerings on the North Asia
service and now provides a Tasman Orient Line vessel call every week at Timaru.
To support these additional services, Quadrant Pacific Agencies have recently
appointed a new Account Manager, Rebecca Murphy, to manage customer accounts in the
Canterbury/Timaru area while I will assume the role of South Island We recognise that
currently there is a great deal of change occurring in the shipping industry and we
assure our customers that as an independent operator specialising in containerised,
break-bulk and project cargoes that customers can expect to receive the same high level
of service from Tasman Orient Line and Quadrant Pacific in the coming year.
Rebecca Murphy
We wish to acknowledge the support of our valued customers over the past 12 months
and look forward to serving you again in the New Year. Special thanks to the whole team
at PrimePort Timaru for making it easy to operate efficiently from your port.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Kathy Guard
Quadrant Pacific Agencies as agents for Tasman Orient Line
PrimePort Timaru &msash; Forest products feature
Log trade increasing
The past 6 months have been a busy period for log exporters using PrimePort Timaru
after a very quiet season last year. PrimePort Timaru General Manager of Marketing,
Bruce McDougall, explained that the recent increase in volumes of logs shipped through
Timaru can be attributed to a number of factors. “Recent cost reductions in
charter shipping rates have assisted exporters along with a slight easing in the value
of the NZ/US exchange rate.”
“We are also seeing a ripple effect in Canterbury forests this year as trees
planted following the 1975 wind storms reach their 30 year maturity. It would also be
fair to say that some forest owners are concerned about the prospect of paying carbon
taxes to the government from 2007 onwards as a result of the Kyoto agreement and are
harvesting some plantations early to avoid that penalty,” said Mr McDougall.
Most of the logs exported from Timaru are destined for markets in Korea and India
with a smaller volume going to the Middle East.
Sawn timber loading on the Timaru Star.
Timaru Star makes maidenvoyage to PrimePort
The arrival of the bulk carrier Timaru Star to PrimePort in September signaled the
beginning of an upgraded shipping service between Timaru and the Middle East. The
“Timaru Star” and her sister ship the “Cook Strait” will
alternate through the port every six weeks performing the PANZ (Persian Gulf,
Australia, New Zealand) breakbulk liner service.
 Log loading at PrimePort.
Pacific Basin Shipping (UK) Limited provides the two vessels for the PANZ service
which is managed by Clarkson New Zealand Ltd. The vessels are each 31,893 tonnes
deadweight, are equipped with 5 bulk hatches and are capable of carrying up to 31,000
tonnes of cargo. On her regular service, the Timaru Star will deliver fertiliser from
the Persian Gulf to Timaru and will take locally grown logs, sawn timber, fibre-board
and other breakbulk cargoes back to the Middle East on the return journey.
Not only will the city’s name be carried to ports around the world, but more
importantly it will increase port activity. PrimePort General Manager of Marketing
Bruce McDougall said the arrival of the Timaru Star was good news as the upgraded
vessels were easier to work and provided greater efficiencies for the shipping company
and improved services for importers and exporters in the region.
 Logs arriving at the Evans Bay log yard.
The Timaru Star is a modern vessel and was only launched last year. Her
normal route will take her from Timaru to Tauranga then on to Bell Bay in Tasmania and
up to the Persian Gulf ports of Bandar Abbas, Jebel Ali, Damman and Al Jubail. On her
return journey she will call at New Plymouth before arriving back in Timaru to complete
a 75 day round voyage.
While she was in port on her maiden voyage, PrimePort Chief Executive Jeremy Boys
presented a framed painting of Timaru’s Port as it was in 1882 to the Captain of
the Timaru Star as a gesture of goodwill for carrying the city’s name.
Milled timber destined for middle east
The past 12 months has seen increasing volumes of green sawn timber exported from
PrimePort Timaru. The bulk of this timber is destined for markets in the Persian Gulf
states of UAE, Iran and Saudi Arabia and travels via the PANZ service.
 Wayne May of Toll Owens records logs into the storage yard using an electronic scanner.
The timber is untreated radiata pine sourced from local mills in Canterbury and is
mainly used in the production of packing cases, pallets and general boxing. Gavin
McIntyre, line manager for the PANZ service explained, “there is considerable
building and construction taking place in the Middle East which is creating a healthy
demand for our timber and forest products.
MDF travels both breakbulk and containerised
 PrimePort's new pack turner in action.
As well as logs and sawn timber PrimePort Timaru also exports significant volumes of
medium density fibreboard (MDF). MDF is made from chip logs and woodchips that are
finely chipped then bonded together with resins through an intense heat process to
produce a product that is durable, easily worked and is consistent in quality.
The MDF handled at Primeport comes from both the Carter Holt Harvey Pine Panels plant
at Rangiora and also from the Dongwha Patina plant at Mataura.
 Warehouse supervisor Bevan Draaijer with sawn timber prior to shipment.
It is railed to the port in both containerised and breakbulk form, the containers go
direct to the North Mole terminal ready for shipment, whereas the breakbulk product
goes into storage in the South Store warehouse. From there the product is either
shipped as breakbulk packs or is containerised by port staff for shipment depending on
the destination market.
The volumes of product now being containerised at the port have grown considerably
in the past 12 months and PrimePort has recently purchased a new pack turning machine
to improve the efficiency of the container packing process.
 Alistair Cresswell PrimePort & Dave Hewlett Dongwha Patina supervising container packing operations.
Because of the variable sizes of the MDF packs and to gain optimum usage of space in
the containers it is necessary to stack every alternate pack of MDF on its side in the
container. The new machine built for the port by local engineers Parr & Co has proven
a real asset for this job.
The MDF exported from Timaru goes to a number of countries including USA, Japan,
China and Saudi Arabia and is mainly used in the manufacture of furniture and joinery
products.
Customs protect PrimePort's borders
Since the introduction of heightened security measures at all world ports post
September 11 PrimePort Timaru has had an increased presence by the New Zealand Customs
service.
The Timaru office of the New Zealand Customs Service is now located in the old Port
administration building in Ritchie street and was reopened on 28 June 2004 following a
period where customs services were provided on a part time basis from the Christchurch
office.
There are now three full time staff employed in Timaru.
Russell Pope
Team Leader. Russell has worked for Customs for 25 years, starting in Auckland, with
secondments to Rotorua, Opua, and Whangarei, before transferring to Christchurch and
then accepting the position in Timaru.
Rachel Vine
Customs Officer. Rachel joined Customs in March 2004 and spent four months in
Christchurch on her initial training and mentoring before arriving in Timaru.
Since becoming a customs officer, Rachel has experienced countless interesting
situations. One of the more memorable occaisions was when Rachel was required to go
onboard a fishing boat from Taiwan. However the boat didn’t have a gangway, so the
crew managed to find a fish shute and rig it up as a replacement gangway. Once
eventually onboard Rachel was rather amused to find that the crew had brought their
dog to New Zealand on board the boat!
Russell Cummings
Customs Officer. Russell also joined Customs in March 2004 and like Rachel spent four
months in Christchurch on his initial training and mentoring before his posting to
Timaru.
Russell has also experienced several interesting situations while on the job. On one
occasion he was checking an imported 4WD vehicle from Japan. He found that the previous
owner had left a number of personal belongings inside the vehicle. He opened the
glovebox to find a pistol much to his excitement, however upon further investigation,
he realised that it was only a toy!
From Left: Russell Pope, Rachel Vine, Russell Cummings.
The three staff in Timaru are tasked with providing an inspection capability for both
import and export cargo, ship entry and clearance requirements and liaison with the
local community on Customs matters.
To assist with the inspections function, Customs are able to deploy X-ray equipment
from Dunedin and Christchurch, as well as explosive and narcotic detector dogs. Also
a specialised group from Christchurch provides assistance for the searching of ships.
Imported goods being x-rayed at the Port.
PrimePort Timaru are a Customs Frontline partner, a formal relationship which brings
benefits to both organisations. Customs liaises closely with the port and shipping
companies to screen cargo for potential threats. PrimePort are able to provide the
cargo handling equipment, staff and expertise necessary to facilitate the inspection
of cargo.
New developments in the future include the trialling of Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) seals, which it is hoped will be used nationwide by Secure Export
Partners and ports and will give a greater assurance over the security status of export
cargo.
The Customs drug sniffer dog in action at PrimePort.
Ironically when South Canterbury was first settled in 1850 the very first registered
title in the Timaru District belonged to Her Majestys Customs, the certificate of title
showed the customs building on “Lot 1 DP 1 Timaru.” The old Customs
building which still stands today at the bottom of Strathallan Street is now a thriving
Italian Restaurant.
PrimePort maintains public access
Despite increased security measures at the port in recent years PrimePort has been
able to maintain areas for public access and recreational activities. This is best
evident by the new South Beach Walkway and the retention of No. One wharf as a place
for fishing.
Southbeach Walkway nears completion
During the past 12 months PrimePort Timaru along with the Timaru District Council has
developed and landscaped an area at Southbeach which has enhanced public access and has
created mountain bike access from Patiti Point north to the Eastern Mole. The project
combines many previous initiatives into a cohesive concept that will retain the natural
value of the beach but enhance the ability to walk and mountain bike.
It is a project which has been jointly created by PrimePort Timaru and the Timaru
District Council. The land which is owned by PrimePort and zoned
“recreational” has been set aside and developed for the public. This
includes an area below South Street near Patiti Point that is to be leased to the
Timaru District Council on a long term basis at a nominal sum for the rehabilitation of
native plantings, new landscaping and carparking. The Council will progressively
undertake this development at Patiti Point. The partnership and support of PrimePort
allows land to be set aside for public access and for the Council to commit to new
landscape and carpark areas. This walkway will improve the existing link to Saltwater
creek, and relate well to the Caroline Bay upgrade.
Wharf fishing as popular as ever
Anthony Yeandle and Alex Kinvig
Enjoying the school holidays
fishing at PrimePort
PrimePorts wharves prove as popular as ever for recreational fishermen young and old.
The number 1 extension wharf remains open to the public, subject to shipping operations.
Anthony Yeandle and Alex Kinvig were fishing off the wharf during the school holidays.
Anthony has caught red cod on a previous fishing excursion to the port with Opihi
College and this is Alex’s first time fishing off the wharf.
PrimePort to host Home Show
Next years Timaru Herald Home and Lifestyle show will be held in the PrimePort Timaru
Dairy Store at South Beach. Timaru Herald advertising and marketing manager Kelvin
Ayson confirmed the event to be held from 30 June to 2 July 2006 would be the premier
event for South Canterbury businesses, manufacturers, retailers, tourist operators and
new car franchise dealers to promote their products and services.
Mr Ayson said the Dairy Store venue will provide twice the space of any show the
Herald has run before. “This time we are making it a Home and Lifestyle Show and
combining it with a Tourism Expo and a Car Expo”.Central South Island Tourism
general manager of marketing and events Philip Brownie said it was an exciting concept
to have a home show combined with a leisure, lifestyle, tourism and car show all
combined under the one roof. “It's going to be a showcase of our region like
we’ve never seen before”.
PrimePort Timaru is an associated sponsor of the show and chief executive Jeremy Boys
said the dairy store had been made available during the “off season” for
the dairy industry when product volumes in storage were traditionally low and spare
space could be made available. Because the store is built in 3 separate sections it is
relatively simple to hold the event in one section without affecting security and
operations in the remainder of the building. PrimePort was in support of the show
because he believed it was a worthwhile event for the community.
He said it also gave the public a chance to look through the dry store, the largest
in South Canterbury, which was an area that the public would not usually have access
to. Mr Boys also acknowledged the support of Fonterra for making the area available to
them during the time of the show.
Sea Scouts make use of decommissionedliferaft off 'Te Maru’
The Endeavour Sea Scouts of Timaru have a new training aid courtesy of PrimePort
Timaru. It is a decommissioned liferaft which came off the PrimePort Tug Te
Maru. The liferaft is fully enclosed and is designed to hold 10 people at one
time.
There are approximately 30 boys involved in the scouts and venturers. The boys had
a liferaft training and orientation evening recently on Caroline Bay. When asked what
it was like to be inside the raft, it was likened to being on a waterbed. The group
leaders are planning on using the raft to help improve safety and survival skills of
the scouts by putting some of the scouts on board the liferaft in a survival situation
sometime in the new year.
Endeavour Sea Scouts lifeboat training in Caroline Bay.
Staff
PrimePort farewells Rodger Laycock
After almost 17 years at PrimePort Timaru, senior pilot Captain Rodger Laycock has
called it a day and began retirement in October.
After starting sea school in England in 1955, Captain Laycock’s career included
a spell with Outward Bound, four years with Shell Tankers and 10 years with the New
Zealand Shipping Company.
He came ashore for a period with the New Zealand Stevedoring and Wharfing Company,
before going back to sea with the New Zealand Shipping Corporation and then returning
to take up his role at Timaru.
Following a personal milestone of having been associated with the sea for 50 years
in September this year the 67-year-old said he was ready to move on. However, he said
he would miss the people at the port.
“The big thing here in Timaru is it is a real team,” he said.
“There is a good camaraderie across the board and they are a good, well-managed
team”.
Rodger intends now to focus on his role as president of the local Rotary Club,
fishing and the “usual retirement activities”.
A farewell ceremony and barbecue dinner was held for Rodger and he was presented with
a gift of a set of golf clubs to enjoy in his retirement.
PrimePort chief executive Jeremy Boys said Captain Laycock had a “proud and
enviable record” at the port. “He has been part of a small but very
respected marine team,” said Mr Boys.
Rodger Laycock
New Faces
Paul McNeill
Paul has assumed the role of Harbourmaster and acting Marine Manager following the
passing of Roger Dunn. Paul went to sea in 1985 with Shell as a cadet. He finished up
as a master with BP on large tankers before starting at PrimePort. Paul is a keen
shooter, enjoys hunting and has a new project on the go at Tekapo (keep an eye out for
the McNeill mansion if you’re passing).
Teimarawa Kabirera (Kab)
Kab has worked on the PrimePort launch for a year as launchmaster/deckhand. Kab started
off as a contractor and has been employed by PrimePort since October 2005. Prior to
this Kab was a casual stevedore so is definitely familiar with the port. Kab has been
around the world eight times during his working career and in his spare time enjoys
reading and socialising with friends.
Tom Johnston
Tom has worked on the PrimePort launch as launchmaster/deckhand for 4½ years. Tom
started off as a contractor and has been employed by PrimePort since October 2005.
Previous to this he was in the UK as a lifeboat coxan for two years. Tom was a
fisherman in Timaru from 1967-1986. Tom enjoys reading, walking, dogs and fishing.
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