PORT’S RECORD YEAR

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29391, 19 December 1960, Page 19

PORT’S RECORD YEAR

Export Activity At Napier "The Press” Special Service NAPIER, December 17. The third busiest export port in the Dominion, the port of Napier, is enjoying a period of unprecedented activity. In the year ended September 30 the port handled more than 200 overseas vessels for the first time in its history: meat, wool and fruit tonnages were a record. The net registered tonnage of shipping increased by nearly 140,000 tons to just under one million tons. Work on the breakwater extension at the port is steadily progressing and should be completed within three years, when the harbour board hopes to construct a western mole. Last year £20,000 was set aside in a reserve fund to meet part of the annual loan charges on the cost of the work. The breakwater extension and the 'western mole will eventually make a sheltered basih large enough to provide berths for 16 overseas vessels. New workshops, a cargo shed, stores and staff amenities are also planned. It appears that the log trade may not now grow to the extent previously contemplated but a more permanent trade in sawn timber may be developed. Petroleum products imports of 107,000 tons was also a record. During the year 402 vessels used the port—2o6 overseas, nine inter-colonial and 187 coastalcompared with 351 the previous year.