PORTS of Auckland (POAL) has applied to dredge 2.5 million cubic metres of sediment from the Waitemata Harbour over the next 15 years, reports Auckland's New Zealand Herald.
POAL says it needs to deepen shipping channels to accommodate the increasing size of cargo ships, to cater for the city's growth, with more than 600,000 additional people expected to be living in Auckland by 2043.
The application comes as discussion intensifies over the future of the port and its location, with a leaked Government working group report this week recommending it be moved to Northland in the next 15 years.
In a resource consent application POAL says currently the largest containerships it handles carry up to 5,000 TEU.
WORLD SHIPPING
POAL says it needs to deepen shipping channels to accommodate the increasing size of cargo ships, to cater for the city's growth, with more than 600,000 additional people expected to be living in Auckland by 2043.
The application comes as discussion intensifies over the future of the port and its location, with a leaked Government working group report this week recommending it be moved to Northland in the next 15 years.
In a resource consent application POAL says currently the largest containerships it handles carry up to 5,000 TEU.
WORLD SHIPPING