Building the future of coastal shipping resilience

The Government is committed to building the resilience of New Zealand's coastal shipping network, through six critical investments to deliver a more productive economy and ensure essential supplies can reach communities in times of crisis.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed $400,000 towards a national digital platform to improve supply chain efficiency and coordination across ports, in partnership with PortConnect.

"Historically, the siloed nature of New Zealand's port operations has resulted in limited ability to anticipate, respond and adapt to disruptive events. This funding will address the fragmented coordination of berthing windows and vessel visits," Mr Meager says.

"Recent weather events have reinforced the value of clear, shared information when under pressure. Our ports are an economic lifeline to the outside world. If we are to grow productivity, we need greater resilience to external impacts on the way we trade."

This is the final investment from the Government's $30 million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund, which also includes:

• Container-handling equipment in Gisborne to support rapid freight movement
• Modifications to the Rangitata coastal vessel to improve self-sufficiency in cargo handling
• Reconstruction and return to service of the Greymouth wharf
• Training berths on domestic vessels to give maritime students the sea time required to qualify as mariners
• A cost-effective dredging capability, built in Northland, to support smaller regional ports

"Coastal shipping is a critical piece of our freight network, moving large and heavy cargo such as containers, cement and aggregate efficiently and safely. It is also a low-emissions mode of transport and has repeatedly proven its value following natural disasters," Mr Meager says.

"After Cyclone Gabrielle, coastal shipping delivered essential supplies to Tairāwhiti when land routes were severely constrained. These six investments build on that experience and help ensure we are better prepared for future events in practical, tangible ways."