Push to ferry cars from Ports of Auckland still alive
An idea to transport vehicles from the Ports of Auckland to the south-east of the city by ferry is still viable despite the economic impact of coronavirus.
PTS Group first tabled its proposal last year and was already planning to construct a 1.6-hectare and five-storey car-storage facility at its existing Highbrook depot.
The project, which has been on-hold since awaiting feedback from the Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL), could see ferries used to shift about 230,000 vehicles a year from Captain Cook and Bledisloe wharves along the Tamaki estuary to the site.
John Keenan, chief executive of the PTS Group, says work on such a scheme would have to fit in with the port’s daily operations, meaning it would have to agree with the final proposal. He adds a new facility would not need to be constructed at this stage and each vessel could carry up to 250 cars.
Last year, Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland, indicated the council wanted wharves to be used more efficiently. This includes freeing up berth space on the western side of Bledisloe and Captain Cook for cruise ships, as well reducing the number of vehicles being transported via the state-highway network.
Goff was keen to see the PTS proposal gain some traction and wanted Liz Coutts, chairwoman of POAL, to have the company’s proposition investigated. The port company looked into proposal last year and said it could be done and would help reduce the number of downtown truck movements.
Spokesman Matt Ball told Stuff that POAL is looking forward to hearing from PTS with more detail on its plans “in due course”, while noting the number of cars being imported has been hit by Covid-19 and isn’t expected to pick up anytime soon. For example, April saw a 30 per cent drop in import numbers.
Keenan said he is still keen to see the parties involved talking again. “Some of the decisions have no doubt slowed because of Covid-19, but I think those discussions need to continue,” he adds, if political will exists at the council to get the project done.
