Tasman Orient Line Doubles Timaru Services

Tasman Orient Line recently announced the ntroduction of two additional direct shipping calls per month to PrimePort Timaru. There will now be 4 direct calls per month into Timaru, effectively one per week, providing an excellent connection linking importers in the Central South Island with all ports of Asia.

The new services will be available on Tasman Orient's East Asia service. They will provide direct connections between Timaru and Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. Tasman Orient East Asia General Manager, Elizabeth Bentley commented that the new services available from Timaru will be in line with our philosophy of a egional multi-purpose liner shipping operation, we will be offering breakbulk as well as container shipping services.” This service enhancement will bring a number of benefits for mporters and exporters in the Central South sland region. Some existing export transit imes will be improved by up to 10 days. mporters and exporters located in Christchurch and Dunedin will be serviced by a ast relay from Timaru.

The Tasman Provider heading for Timaru
on the first of her regular calls to PrimePort.

The addition of an extra 2 calls per month compliments the existing services currently available from Timaru into Northern China, Japan and Korea operated by Tasman Orient Lines North Asia Service.

PrimePort Timaru Chief Executive Jeremy Boys, welcomed the announcement, noting that it “built on the strong relationship with Tasman Orient and existing customers. It is further recognition of the strong economy in the Central South Island and the ideal position for PrimePort to provide a fast distribution to Christchurch and Dunedin. The direct link to Asia builds on this advantage of central location, port space and the significant investment in port facilities, storage and infrastructure that has been made in recent years.”

The first call for the new service was made by the “Tasman Pathfinder,” which arrived in Timaru on 17th June from Wellington, before then heading to Bluff.

Maersk Sealand Extra-loaders ease Seasonal Peak

The 2005 seasonal peak period has been another busy one at PrimePort Timaru. To cope with the movement of additional exports during the peak months of March, April and May, Maersk Sealand added an additional 2 vessels to their New Zealand Service which connects New Zealand to the trans-shipment hub of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia . The additional export cargo volume mainly comes in the form of seasonal agricultural produce including fresh and processed vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy products.

Maersk New Zealand South Island sales manager, Ronnie Moore, explained that “the extra loader programme was an excellent way of matching additional shipping capacity with cargo volumes which normally peak during the Autumn months. By introducing additional capacity into the service during the peak period we can continue to maintain a high level of customer service to our export shippers.”

The vessels “Maersk Pelepas” and “Maersk Plymouth” have been making additional fortnightly visits to PrimePort Timaru during the peak period with each vessel having a capacity of more than 2,000 TEU.

The Maersk Plymouth alongside the Josephine Maersk work
through the night at PrimePort's North Mole container wharf.

Port visionary a loss to the industry

The man credited with leading a dramatic turnaround at PrimePort Timaru died just prior to Christmas last year. Alistair David Betts passed away in Timaru Hospital, only three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Betts was the Chairman of PrimePort Timaru for seven years and was at the forefront of leading a restructure of the ports business including a major capital investment programme which has resulted in significant commercial growth for the port company. He has been described by many as a visionary leader who had a real passion for the Port, for South Canterbury and New Zealand, particularly the rural sector. He was a leader in the global expansion of the NZ dairy industry, and again proved his marketing value when he later became a founding director of Zespri. He will be remembered as a man who didn't seek public profile, and was happiest just getting on with the job.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Jim Sutton described Mr Betts as one of the architects of “added value processing”, hugely involved in New Zealand's conversion from a trader in commodities to a marketer in added value differentiated consumer products. “He was a lateral thinker and had boundless intellectual energy.” A Timaru Boys High School student from 1959 to 1963, Mr Betts then went on to gain his B Com at Otago University, and benefited from being among the first to be able to choose marketing as his major. In 1969, he embarked on a 27 year career in marketing and business development for the New Zealand Dairy Board, which saw him live and work in London, Hamburg and Singapore.

In 1995 he and wife Beverley moved onto their sheep and deer farm in South Canterbury and during this period Mr Betts took on several directorships including those with the Cervena Company, AGMARDT, Zespri International, Landcorp, and PrimePort Timaru. At the time of his death Mr Betts was the director of more than 20 companies.

Alistair Betts was awarded the Queen's Service Order for public services in the 2005 New Years Honours List an award he became aware of only the day before he died.

New Chairman Appointed

Timaru businessman Sid McAuley has been appointed the new Chairman of PrimePort Timaru following the sudden death of sitting Chairman Alistair Betts.

Mr McAuley has been a director on the PrimePort board for the past seven years and has been an integral part of the restructuring and redevelopment at the port in recent years.

Mr McAuley is currently the Chairman of Coolpak Coolstores and the driving force in a number of other South Canterbury businesses. He was also previously the Managing Director of Hilton Haulage Ltd.

In accepting the new role Mr McAuley said he welcomed the new challenges of leading the board, “Alistair has left us a legacy of strong growth and a focus on customer service, and along with management and staff we look forward to continuing that good work.”

PrimePort Timaru Sells Dairy Store

One of the South Island's largest industrial storage buildings, owned by PrimePort Timaru and occupied by Fonterra, has been purchased by a North Island investment company after attracting strong interest in the sales process.

The PrimePort Dairy Store is strategically located within the Port
adjacent to rail access and the new container depot.

The 22,000 square metre dairy store, located on more than two hectares of land within PrimePort's South Beach industrial estate in Timaru, has sold for an undisclosed price.

PrimePort Dairy Store covers
a total area of 22,000m².

PrimePort Timaru Ltd Chief Executive Jeremy Boys said settlement of the sale would be completed once titles to the subdivision on which the building is situated have been issued. The purchaser wished to remain anonymous at this stage.

The property was sold with a 15-year lease back to PrimePort Timaru Ltd and rights of renewal. The initial rental income on the property will be $1,110,576 per annum. The port has entered into a long-term sub-lease arrangement with Fonterra which uses the building for the storage of dry milk powder produced at the world's second largest dairy factory at Clandeboye, just north of Timaru.

PrimePort Dairy Store
has a total capacity of
over 30,000 tonnes.

Bayleys' Bob Davison commented that the warehouse attracted great interest from investors around New Zealand and internationally. “There is real demand at the moment for quality investment property and we have managed to get the best possible result for PrimePort Timaru.”

Mr Boys says the building has been developed by PrimePort to accommodate Fonterra's storage requirements for the next decade and beyond and expand the shipping of dairy products through PrimePort.

The Fonterra storage building is adjacent to the main trunk rail and shunting lines within Timaru. It will share a boundary with an empty container depot operation that is now being constructed by PrimePort as part of the overall development of the South Beach area to accommodate a range of port and industrial users.

Container loading operations at
PrimePort Dairy Store.

Mr Boys says PrimePort has grown tremendously in the last three years, with container volumes more than doubling and this is requiring a considerable capital outlay in the container terminal.

“We need to continue to invest in the port's operational infrastructure to maintain the high standard of service and give us the scope to grow with existing and new shipping lines.

“The company has therefore decided to sell the dairy storage warehouse to release capital for further operational investment and growth, but with long-term lease arrangements back to us which secures the store's future as an important component of the port,” he said.

PrimePort Timaru – Breakbulk Feature

Breakbulk Team Handle aVariety of Cargo

There is never a dull moment at the PrimePort Transit Shed with a wide range of breakbulk cargo's handled all requiring specialised care.

Part of Fonterra Clandeboyes new milk powder drier is typical of the
heavy equipment handled by Tasman Orient Line and PrimePort Timaru.

Cargo receival, storage and delivery is managed by Lester Ashby, Stan Cook and Bevan Draaijer. They ensure that export cargos are carefully loaded into temporary storage from road and rail transport prior to shipment and import cargos are delivered to customers with the minimum of delay following discharge from the ship.

Another 2 truck loads of imported cars
heading for customers in Christchurch.

Steel
The main breakbulk cargo through Timaru is imported steel for the construction and manufacturing industries. The major quantities of steel arrives on board the Tasman Orient Line vessels from China, Korea and Japan, it is in various shapes and sizes from large construction beams, to pipes and flats and also coils used in the whiteware manufacturing industries.

MDF
MDF (medium density fibre board) is one of the main breakbulk products exported from Timaru, it is sourced from mills at CHH Rangiora in the North and Rayonier Mataura in the South. The MDF is railed direct to the Port and then unloaded into the South Store before it is assembled ready for shipping to Japan and the Middle East.

Irrigation pipes being pulled from
containers by the breakbulk team.

Fresh Vegetables
Although the large number of vegetable exports from Timaru are in containerised form the Port still handles occasional breakbulk shipments of onions and squash. In April this year PrimePort handled a consignment of squash destined for markets in Japan, which was loaded on “The Prince of Streams” vessel.

Motor Vehicles & Machinery
PrimePort receives import cars and heavy machinery from Japan in both containerised and breakbulk form. The containerised cars arrive 2 at a time in 40' reefer containers from Japan. These containers are termed NOR (non operating reefers) and are an efficient form of repositioning reefercontainers back to New Zealand. Once the cars are cleared from the containers on the wharf they are inspected by MAF with any cleaning completed as required and are then assembled at the South Store ready for delivery to importers. In most cases vehicles are available for collection by importers within 24 hours of discharge from the ship.

Irrigation Pipe Flows Through Timaru

Bins of onions being loaded aboard a
breakbulk vessel at PrimePort Timaru.

PrimePort has recently handled a large consignment of water pipe destined for the new North Otago Downlands Irrigation Scheme. Stage 1 of the pumped scheme is designed to irrigate approximately 10,000 hectares and involves the laying of 80km of pipe of various sizes. The large Sintakote pipe is made of 3 materials with an exterior MDPE coating covering the steel core of the pipe which has a concrete interior lining. These pipes have a diameter of 1.2m and come in 12m (40') lengths with 3 to 4 pipes stacked in each container.

The pipes are manufactured by Tyco Water in Brisbane and arrived into Timaru in 3 shipments at fortnightly intervals. Once at the Port the pipes are pulled out of the containers onto flat racks and then delivered by trucks directly to the Downlands site in North Otago. The container devanning and trucking operation was timed to coincide with site operations in North Otago to ensure that no hold ups to the contractors were experienced. A fleet of 3 trucks each completing 3 round trips per day ensured that a minimum of 27 pipes per day were delivered to site over a 6 week period.

Breakbulk pipes being
discharged in Timaru.

Tyco Flow Special Projects manager, Daryn Stockwell commented that “PrimePort Timaru was chosen because of its central location and reputation for making things happen. The guys at the Port had never done this type of operation before, but within a couple of days had a system working that exceeded all of our expectations”.

As well as the containerised pipe PrimePort are also handling a number of breakbulk shipments of smaller diameter ductile pipe which is used in the feeder lines to the individual farms in the North Otago Scheme. This pipe is also imported from Australia and is arriving in 4 separate shipments between May and September.

Quadrant Pacific Agencies serve Timaru Shipping

MDF being loaded at Timaru
for shipment to Saudi Arabia.

Quadrant Pacific is a New Zealand based shipping agency and logistics company which was formed in 1998 with a common shareholding to Tasman Orient Line which operates regular breakbulk and container liner services from Timaru to Asia. Since formation Quadrant Pacific has evolved into a diverse company offering liner and tramp shipping agency, stevedoring, coastal transport, domestic logistics and international freight forwarding services through direct or jointly owned companies. Quadrant Pacifics' Timaru office manages cargo on the 3 Tasman Orient Line services. The North Asia and East Asia services have direct vessel calls at PrimePort Timaru, to and from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, plus transhipment services to South East Asian destinations. Quadrant Pacific also handle a variety of bulk vessels at PrimePort Timaru ranging from dry bulk vessels discharging fertiliser to the loading and discharging of various products on tankers. The Timaru office is located right on the wharf within direct sight of the working vessels which ensures close supervision of cargo discharge and loading operations. The office is lead by Alastair Hannah, who has many years experience and knowledge of the local shipping industry in Timaru. He is ably assisted by Tim Frank.

Tim Frank (left) and Alastair Hannah
(right) discussing the stow plan for the
Tasman Pathfinder with PrimePort
stevedoring foreman Mark Reardon.

Alastair and Tim work very closely with PrimePort Timaru staff to ensure that all cargo under Quadrant Pacific care is correctly received at or delivered from PrimePort Timaru within the required timeframes. Alastair or Tim will greet every ship with a smile upon their arrival at PrimePort, regardless of the time of day or night they are available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. They will let the ship know the plan for their port stay, make sure that cargo operations start as soon as possible after the vessel is safely berthed and attend to any husbandry matters such as arranging doctors and dentists for the crew. After all the cargo operations are completed Alastair or Tim will again be in attendance to ensure everything is to the vessel's satisfaction and in order to sail safely to her next port of call.

Specialised Container Services Provide Vital Link In Logistics Chain

The role of maintaining the stocks of shipping containers at the port belongs to the nationwide company Specialised Container Services Ltd (SCS) The Timaru depot operation was established in March 1997 and operates in conjunction with PrimePort Timaru to provide empty container depot services to all shipping companies who utilise PrimePort.

The SCS Timaru administration team left to right Aleshia
Allan, Angela Harbraken, Kathy Robertson.

SCS Timaru receives empty containers from importers via road and rail or from vessel discharges. Trained surveyors then ensure that each container is structurally surveyed to the client's criteria before the unit is either repaired and or cleaned as required.

After structural survey and washing, all refrigerated containers are taken to be pre-tripped. Pre-trip inspection involves the refrigeration unit running through a series of tests to ensure that the container meets stringent criteria. Should the container not pass these tests the refrigeration engineers will then work to find the fault and then repair the unit.

SCS Reefer engineers Kevin Barrett and Gerard Kennedy
carrying out routine monitoring of reefer containers.

Once a container has passed the pre-trip and has been structurally repaired the SCS forklift driver will stack the container in the appropriate place ready for release to export customers. SCS through their refrigeration division Specialised Refrigeration Services are also responsible for plugging full refrigerated containers into the power supply on the Port to ensure that the containers remain at the correct temperature for the cargo contained within. In some cases SRS also monitor the temperatures of the containers and carry out repairs to containers on board the vessels.

SCS office staff work closely with the client, depot staff and PrimePort staff to ensure containers are made available in a timely manner in order for the clients' needs to be met.

While linking with the nationwide network, SCS Timaru is a locally run business, with over 25 local staff, including tradesmen and apprentices. The depot operations are managed by Chad Hunter who has significant experience in the container industry and the refrigeration division is managed by Kevin Barrett. As further growth requires more staff, SCS Timaru maintains the goal of employing from the local market and investing in internal development and apprenticeship schemes.

New Depot facilities under construction

With the growth experienced in existing container trades and the prospects for further volume growth in the region PrimePort Timaru are developing an additional container depot facility at the port. This development which is being run in conjunction with SCS is taking place on previously undeveloped land at SouthBeach. The new depot facility 2is located adjacent to the 22,000m PrimePort Dairy Store and will provide efficiencies for the loading and handling of dairy containers at the port.

Chad Hunter, SCS Timaru Manager, surveys progress on
development of the new container depot at South Beach.

The new depot covers an area of 2 hectares and features rail access plus full washing and repair facilities. Once the new depot is operational in August this year a number of the SCS operations will move from the North Mole to SouthBeach.

Container Terminal Manager Mark Babbington explained “that this move will allow more space on the container pad for the increasing volumes of full containers expected next year and beyond. SCS will still maintain a depot presence on the North Mole particularly in relation to reefer services, but it will improve the overall operating efficiency and resource utilisation to move the cleaning and repair operations to the satellite depot at SouthBeach. We have our own internal transport system operating that will transfer the empty containers between the North Mole and SouthBeach.”

“With the ongoing success of PrimePort Timaru, SCS are proud to be associated with the Port in a strategic service alliance committed to complementing our respective service offerings and ensuring that the business growth in the region is fully supported,” said managing director of SCS Dion Ross.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Not only have the past few months at PrimePort been busy cargo wise but also the Port has been used as the location for a number of television documentary productions, recording past significant events.

Queen's Tour
In November last year TV3 news presenters John Campbell and Carol Hirschfield, plus film crew, visited Timaru to film a segment for “The Queen's Tour” a documentary which retraced the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II 50 years ago on her first visit to New Zealand in 1954. The TV3 film crew were suspended in a man cage underneath one of the Port's mobile cranes enabling a number of panoramic views around the city.

John Campbell from TV3 during filming of the documentary
Queen's Tour in Timaru.

The World's Fastest Indian
Just prior to Christmas PrimePort Timaru's number 1 wharf was transformed into a Hollywood movie set for the filming on location of the movie “The World's Fastest Indian.” The movie tells the story of New Zealander Burt Monro who dedicated much of his life to building and racing a 1920's Indian motorcycle. It culminates in a trip to the USA where he broke the World land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in the 1970's.

PrimePort's number one wharf is transformed into a 1960's
dockland scene for the filming of The Fastest Indian movie.

Before filming could begin the wharf area was transformed into a late 1960's dockland scene complete with motor vehicles of that era, including a livestock rail carriage from the Pleasant Point Rail Museum and featured the Leslie Shipping vessel “Rangitira” which is still in regular service today between Timaru and the Chatham Islands.

The film stars Oscar winning actor Anthony Hopkins and Dianne Ladd. The segment of film shot in Timaru depicts the loading of Burt Monro's motorcycle onto a ship bound for USA and also features PrimePort Timaru's very own Alistair Cresswell as stevedoring foreman.

Timaru Then & Now
Just recently released, "Timaru Then & Now" traces the history of development of Timaru and the Port from the time of first European settlement in the district. This is a locally produced documentary created by Timaru men Jeff Mill and Brendan Bolland and is a testimony to their determination and hard work. Working on a limited budget Jeff and Brendan have recreated in film version a valuable record of Timaru's early development.

PrimePort Timaru is a co-sponsor and assisted with the funding for the production of “Timaru Then & Now”.

Timaru Farewells Canterbury

The Navy Frigate HMNZS Canterbury made her final visit to PrimePort Timaru in March. Since her commissioning in 1972 the Canterbury has made a number of calls to Timaru as one of her home ports. A farewell charter parade was held in Timaru's main street to mark the end of the vessels 33 year active service.

The HMNZS Canterbury makes her final
visit to PrimePort Timaru.

No decision has been made as to what will happen with the hull of the frigate once it has been decommissioned. The crew will be reassigned to a range of new vessels.

HMNZS Canterbury commander Peter Kempster said he was proud of the ship's achievements even though it had never engaged in battle. “There was never a shot fired in anger but we were always there if required,” he said. It had been a pleasure to have had Timaru as one of the frigate's home ports, he said, describing the relationship as “special”.

The frigate's main missions during its lifetime have included being dispatched by the Government to protest against French nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll, and various peace keeping operations, including tours of duty in the Arabian Gulf and Bougainville as well as peace time operations around the Pacific.

Staff

New Faces

Robyn Senecal
Robyn started in early May 2004 as Gatehouse Data Entry Clerk. Robyn is a born and bred Canadian who came to NZ in October 1991. She lived in Wellington where she was teaching interior design as well as contract designing. From there she was transferred to Gore in August 1995. Her interests include design, decoration, Feng Shui, writing, photography, wine tasting, organising ethnic food fests with friends and reading. Plus vollyball, swiming, snorkleing & cycling.

Lois Zandbergen
Lois began work at PrimePort as a temp PAand became a full time employee in August2004. When she is away from work Loisenjoys playing hockey, gives snow boarding agood go (but comes back black & blue), andgets a buzz riding dirt bikes. On quietweekends Lois tries to solve crosswordpuzzles.

Chris Wylie
Chris started as a Ship/Yard Planner at the Port in October 2004. Chris originates from Taranaki. He went to university in Wellington and lived in South Korea from 2001 to 2004. Before he came to Timaru he was in Napier where he trained as a Ship Planner. Chris enjoys a spot of fishing, 4WDriving, a stroll in the outdoors, rock climbing, and walking down walls of rock, with a rope of course (abseiling). He is also a bit of a green finger and enjoys fruit and vegetable gardening.

Georgina Stevenson
Georgina (Georgie) started at the end of May 2005 as Payroll Clerk. Georgie has moved up from Dunedin along with her cat Henkell to join her partner Dave. She previously worked as Payroll Manager at Clarkecraw Ltd in Dunedin. Georgie enjoys painting (artwork), arts & crafts, reading history novels and early European history, she is also a chocolate fan like many others who work here and quietly supports the Highlanders.

Leah Williams
Previously Leah worked in the RNZAF for 14 years. From there she went and worked at Fonterra, Clandeboye for 9 months then landed here at PrimePort in early January 2005 as Human Resources/Operations Support. Leah originates from the Catlins (Owaka). She enjoys basketball and outdoor pursuits and is a loud supporter of the Highlanders.

Alex Leal
Alex first worked at the Port as a contractor for Fujitsu from September 2003. He became a full time employee here at PrimePort as IT Administrator in February 2005. Alex originates from Mexico, after 20 years there he then headed to the US for 12 years, South America for 2 years then to New Zealand for the last 4 years. Alex's hobbies include bone carving and unicycles.

Not so New Faces

Kevin Beeby
Kevin has recently assumed the role of Operations Supervisor. Kevin first started here at the Port in 1978 as a general hand for the Timaru Harbour Board. He left in 1988 where he worked in a family contracting business Beeby Contacting Ltd, he returned in 2002. Kevin is born and bred in Timaru and enjoys anything that speeds ie horse racing, car/truck racing and holidays.

Keith Michel ~ 30 Years Service
Keith Michel has recently completed 30 years service at PrimePort Timaru. Keith started in 1974 as a 'casual'. In 1986 he moved on up to foreman of works. Diving was part of his duties where he worked with Dusty Miller and Warwick Hewitt. The diving outfits weren't like the ones they make today hence popping out of the surface blue from the cold water was a hazard of the job. Keith then became Operations Supervisor and eventually Operations Manager in 2002.

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