NEW ZEALAND's Ports of Auckland has started welcoming container vessels at the Fergusson container terminal's North Wharf, with the 3,400-TEU Gottfried Schulte becoming the first containership to berth at the third wharf, which is currently undergoing a trial phase
NEW ZEALAND's Ports of Auckland has started welcoming container vessels at the Fergusson container terminal's North Wharf, with the 3,400-TEU Gottfried Schulte becoming the first containership to berth at the third wharf, which is currently undergoing a trial phase. Fergusson North will eventually be Ports of Auckland's premium berth, with the deepest water and largest cranes, capable of handling ships of up to 11,000 TEU.
New cranes, delivered in October 2018, are currently being commissioned as part of the testing phase, reported Hellenic Shipping News. This will be followed by trial unloading operations. The Fergusson North Wharf is scheduled to become fully operational after the first stage of Auckland's automation goes live in early 2020.
'Our two existing container berths are often both full and there is strong demand for a third berth,' said Ports of Auckland general manager Craig Sain. 'The new berth, high-productivity cranes and terminal automation will increase capacity and benefit to importers, exporters and shippers,' he said
Completion of Fergusson North Wharf included 10 hectares of reclamation to create additional terminal space which is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
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