Historic first at Eastland Port

Recently, the Norse Antwerp came in smoothly alongside the Yangtze Keeper at Eastland Port – and history was made. For the very first time, two 180-metre long vessels were able to berth next to each other on Wharves 7 and 8.

“It was a pretty impressive sight, and a milestone moment for the Port team and the region,” said Eastland Port Chief Executive Andrew Gaddum. 

“Twin Berth represents the Port’s biggest infrastructure upgrades in more than a century, and has been well over a decade in the making. Now that it’s nearing final completion, we’re able to provide more flexibility and efficiency for local exporters, including horticulture, agriculture and the forestry industry, as well as cruise ship operators.

“With a bumper kiwifruit harvest this season, for example, Twin Berth is supporting moving product to market as quickly and reliably as possible. Twin Berth also opens up new opportunities for containerisation and coastal shipping. As a locally owned company, based in right in the heart of Gisborne city, the Eastland Port team is highly motivated to build better outcomes for Tairāwhiti.”

The original Twin Berth plans evolved over the past few years, as the Port considered budgets, operational efficiencies, and environmental factors.

The intention was to be able to accommodate a 185-metre and a 200-metre ship simultaneously, but after running the costs and working with the design engineers and customers, the Port team came up with “Twin Berth lite”. This allows two 180-metre vessels to berth at once.

“The completed infrastructure gives us 90% of the initially scoped operational facilities and flexibility, at around 10% of the original proposed cost,” said Mr Gaddum. “Twin Berth sets the region up for the foreseeable future, with all consents in place and the optionality to further expand in response to growing demand.

“It has also ensured a lower environmental impact, while introducing a number of environmental innovations.”

These included working with hapū on the redesign of Wharf 7 to protect the habitat for the Rua Kourā (crayfish nursery) and establishing Australasia-leading stormwater treatment processes across the Port.

Mr Gaddum thanked everyone who had contributed to this regionally essential project. “Thank you in particular to our very own General Manager Infrastructure and Commercial Marty Bayley and his team, who have guided this project over many years and brought it to life.

“I’d also like to acknowledge iwi, hapū and the wider community, who we’ve consulted with throughout the long and sometimes challenging consenting process. Ultimately, Twin Berth is all the better for this sharing of ideas, and the relationships we’ve built together will endure.”

During the construction phase, Eastland Port had a strong focus on using local contractors and resources.

“Ritchie Civil was the head contractor on the final stage of the project, and has done a great job for us – delivering fit for purpose regional infrastructure with their uniquely Gizzy expertise.”

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Source & image credit: Eastland Port