Napier Port, located in New Zealand, has announced that an application to expand its container terminal and carry out further dredging has been approved.
By building a new wharf, Napier Port expects more ships to visit, larger ships to berth, and the congestion caused by increasing cargo volumes to be alleviated.
In addition to this, Napier Port has tried to mitigate the environmental impact of the project by investing in scientific studies, as well as working alongside stakeholders to understand their concerns.
At a formal consultation process, held earlier in 2018, applications to build the wharf received broad support, but there was a debate on the proposed dredging programme.
Dr Oscar Pernia explores end-to-end planning processes in a recent Port Technology technical paper
While some members of the port community campaigned for dredge material to be deposited near Westshore, another group called it for it to be deposited further offshore.
Todd Dawson, Napier Port Chief Executive, commented on the project: “Our team has worked extremely hard to ensure this project is the best it can be, for both our economy and our environment. Building 6 Wharf by 2022 will future-proof the port for our thriving region.
“As well as the extensive work done to design a project that is sensitive to the environment, we hope that the conditions to continually monitor the impacts of construction and dredging will reassure stakeholders that their interests will be protected.
“This project is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration.”