DATE: MONDAY 15 JUNE, 2009
Subject to approval by the Auckland Transitional Authority, Ports of
Auckland has agreed to sell Queens Wharf to the Government and Auckland
Regional Council for $40m, Managing Director Jens Madsen confirmed
today.
Mr Madsen said Ports of Auckland would vacate Queens Wharf by April
2010.
“This is a very good outcome for Auckland and New Zealand,” Mr Madsen
said.
“Queens Wharf is the jewel in the waterfront crown and a unique
opportunity for New Zealand.”
“For Ports of Auckland, the sale of Queens Wharf is something we have
been working towards for a number of years, as flagged in our 2008 Port
Development Plan. We are very pleased that agreement has been reached.”
Mr Madsen said the port would use the sale proceeds to reinvest in
replacement cargo-handling capacity and facilities.
“The cargo volumes currently handled on Queens Wharf will be transferred
to the Bledisloe terminal, Captain Cook and Marsden wharves,” Mr Madsen
said.
“I can reassure those of our customers currently using Queens Wharf that
new arrangements for handling their cargo will be in place in due
course.”
Princes Wharf will continue to be used as Auckland’s primary cruise
terminal until a new facility is built on Queens Wharf.
“A new, world-class cruise terminal will provide a superb entry point to
Auckland and New Zealand for the thousands of cruise visitors we welcome
each year,” Mr Madsen said.
Under the terms of the deal, Ports of Auckland will continue to service
cruise ships from the new terminal on Queens Wharf.
This involves managing the logistics of every cruise call, including
berthing ships, processing passengers, and working with shipping agents,
hospitality and tourism providers, stevedores, Customs, MAF and other
agencies, to ensure each visit goes smoothly.
Cruise liner visits to Auckland have grown to more than 70 calls by 30
cruise liners in the 2008/09 season, compared to 49 calls by 20 liners
in 2006/07.
“We see excellent potential for further growth in the cruise business,”
Mr Madsen said.
“Before too long, Auckland could be seeing as many as 100 ships visit
annually - and the sky really is the only limit.”
For further information contact:
Catherine Etheredge
Senior Manager – Communications
P: 09 309 1255
E: etheredgec@poal.co.nz
M: 027 477 7501
Megan Hopkins-Stone
Communications Advisor
P: 09 309 1247
E: hopkins-stonem@poal.co.nz
M: 027 221 7126