Nelson in Focus

Regional infrastructure

Sea

Port Nelson Ltd

Port Nelson is a busy regional port, with a reputation for efficiency and innovation. The port is an essential part of the regional economy, handling major export cargoes including pipfruit, seafood and forest products; as well as imports, mainly fuel.

The two local authorities, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council are the shareholders of Port Nelson Ltd, the company that owns and operates the port. Port Nelson handles more than 2.6m tonnes of cargo every yearand liaises with all its major customers to ensure their future shipping needs are met.

Facilities at the Port

Five cargo wharves, with three wharves having over 50 tonne axle loading capacity, handle large cargo moving machinery. To cater for cargo vessels, dredging has been done to give the main shipping channel a guaranteed minimum 9.8 metre draught.

Maintaining the schedule integrity of visiting ships requires fast, efficient turnaround. Port Nelson uses Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes, a fleet of lifting plant, and other support infrastructure including computerised cargo tracking and a business unit (QuayPack) that packs containers.

Land acquisition has allowed Port Nelson to enlarge the container yard, and to shift log yards away from residential areas to rationalise cargo storage and handling. Undercover storage, primarily for forestry products, is now 18,000m2.

A three-berth lay up facility for ship repair work is used by the Nelson fishing fleet and for refitting of vessels from overseas, fish unloading and vessel refueling. A floating pontoon berth for super yachts up to 60 metres is included in this facility. These berths free up space at the wharves for dedicated cargo vessels.

Cargo throughput

Forestry

Logs, sawn timber and medium density fibreboard (MDF) account for 40% of Port Nelson’s cargo. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from Nelson Pine Industries and additional timber processing capacity will drive cargo growth at the port.

Seafood

Cuts to the national hoki quota have seen fish volumes through the port stabilise the development of aquaculture export volumes, offset wet-fish reduction.

Fruit

The pipfruit industry has a growing emphasis on using containers to transport produce to export markets, part of a world wide trend towards containerisation.

Environment

Port Nelson has had an Environmental Consultation Committee since 1994, working with residents, businesses and environmental groups on issues such as air and water quality and noise. In 2007 Port Nelson became the first port in New Zealand to attain the independently audited ISO 14001 certification for continuous environmental improvement.

Nelson by the Sea

A sister publication of Nelson in Focus, Nelson by the Sea provides specialised information on the local marine scene. It contains information on the Nelson Marina, harbour navigation, customs regulations, biosecurity, marine engineering, fishing regulations and maritime history. Telephone 03 546 0221 to request a free copy.

Click here for additional information on the Nelson Marina.

Port Nelson

10 Low Street, Port Nelson
PO Box 844, Nelson 7015
Ph: + 64 3 548 2099
Fx: + 64 3 546 9015
Email: info@portnelson.co.nz
Web: Port Nelson

Nelson by the Sea

Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street
PO Box 645, Nelson
Ph: + 64 3 546 0200
Fx: + 64 3 546 0239
Email: enquiries@ncc.govt.nz

back to Commercial Property | up to Business | on to Regional Infrastructure: Land