NAPIER Port today has welcomes an announcement from the NZ government to bring forward the development of a new 12ha inland port south of Napier.
The Crown has approved in principle about NZ$20m for the development of Napier Port’s inland port at Whakatu, between Napier and Hastings in the centre of Hawke’s Bay’s future industrial hub.
Napier Port chief executive Todd Dawson said the Whakatu Inland Port is a vital piece of infrastructure that will provide Napier Port with capacity to meet regional growth expected within Hawke’s Bay.
“It is strategically located within the Whakatu Industrial zone, in the heart of the Hawke’s Bay pipfruit industry, with direct rail and road connections to Napier Port and the lower North Island,” Mr Dawson said.
“It will provide efficiencies for exporters with reduced trucking distances and greater flexibility in container storage for both exports and imports. It will also consolidate operations pivotal to local supply chains in one location and avoid unnecessary and inefficient duplication of facilities,” he said.
“In short, the government’s funding of this project has the potential to accelerate growth in the region for the benefit of all. Napier Port see this as a great initiative and a real boost to the economic development of Hawke’s Bay and the lower North Island in the wake of the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.”
