By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor
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Tuesday 23rd April 2002 |
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The work, which is expected to cost more than $20 million to complete, is necessary to accommodate larger container ships at the port.
The resource consents cover both capital dredging works and maintenance dredging, and include permission to blast a one-hectare area of rock in the shipping lane if it can't be removed mechanically.
The port has also been given permission to install or relocate navigational aids and to either cut or remove disused submarine cables that cross the shipping lane.
POA chief Geoff Vazey says deepening the commercial shipping lane is a key to having the best scorecard for attracting the new-generation containerships to Auckland into the future.
"It allows us to talk with more confidence about servicing the new large vessels that P&O Nedlloyd and Contship Containerlines are bringing to New Zealand. Other shipping lines will also bring larger containerships into New Zealand waters.
"About 68% of New Zealand's imports by value and 33% of New Zealand's exports by value pass through the port of Auckland. So the port is a key player in the regional and national economies."
Rock removal is scheduled to begin later this year and dredging will start early in 2003.
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