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Napier Port’s new 350-metre wharf, Te Whiti.
Seven years in the making, Napier Port’s new wharf, which is able to receive larger container and cruise ships, is finally open.
Unlike the delays and blown out budgets seen in other large construction projects, the privately funded port expansion has come in at the budgeted $173-179 million. It’s also been completed six months ahead of schedule.
Chief executive Todd Dawson said the new wharf, officially named Te Whiti, would help alleviate ongoing shipping disruptions and supply chain congestion across New Zealand.
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“At 350 metres long, Te Whiti is long enough and deep enough to accommodate the increasingly larger vessels calling New Zealand today and into the future, allowing us to support the needs of our customers, community and region,” he said.
Dawson said the new wharf would help boost productivity for the port’s customers, and help enable a more efficient, coordinated flow of cargo.
“New Zealand’s supply chain is the foundation of our economy and there has never been a greater need for an efficient, cost-effective, sustainable network than there is now.”
The project saw 400 concrete piles being driven up to 35 metres into the underlying sandstone rock, and 32 concrete deck pours.
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Napier Port chief executive Todd Dawson says the new wharf is “long enough and deep enough” to accommodate increasingly large vessels entering New Zealand. (File photo)
Sustainability was a key consideration with the establishment of the Napier Port kororā (little blue penguin) sanctuary, creation of two new artificial reefs using limestone from a dismantled revetment seawall and launch of the Marine Cultural Health Programme in partnership with mana whenua.
Port chairperson Alasdair MacLeod said the wharf was a crucial part of Napier Port’s future direction, strengthening the port’s operational agility and resilience, and creating capacity to support the future growth.
A formal opening ceremony took place on the wharf on Friday morning, following a dawn karakia blessing to unveil its new name.
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