Progressive attitude of port

Press, 14 July 1981, Page 24

Progressive attitude of port

Port Nelson is emerging as one of the most progressive ports in New Zealand. It is already considered the main centre geared towards the fishing industry and last record after record in its turnaround rate of cargo through the port.

The general manager of the Nelson Harbour Board. Mr Frank Baldwin, described the attitude of the board to the port as "parochial but progressive." The port development plan coves the next 25 years and is based on the resources of the region but is flexible enough to allow the board to change step. Emphasis in the future will be on the forestry industry. Mr Baldwin said a S6OM pulp mill is expected to be under construction soon and they expect the first lot of pulp will go through the port in 1984. The export of logs and wood chips will naturally ease off as the pulp takes over.

In the summer, trade through the port is at its height — apples, garlic, fish, chips (thus, the nickname "the fish and chip port.") arc loaded for export.

Harmonious industrial relations have attracted a lot of business. Russian fishing trawlers are always in port. Mr Baldwin said Port Nelson would probably be the model for fishing operations in Australasia.

The fish processing companies have their own wharves and when the Matai reclamation is finished, the smaller fishermen will have their own berths.

The first stage of the Matai reclamation has been completed but the second stage is still under discussion between the harbour board and the citv council.

A common sight is a ship on the slipway undergoing repairs or a refit. At the moment The Sophia, an impressive old sailing ship, is having a major refit. The ship sails around the world with a private crew. The crew take out shares in the ship when they board and simply sell them when the reach the port they choose to depart.

It was in Nelson also that the largest tuna fishing vessel in New Zealand was built by a joint concern involving Wanganui Engineering and Anchor-Dorman. The Western Pacific is 36.5 m long and was built at a cost of S2M.

A roll-on roll-off service now operates to both Sydney and Melbourne every three weeks. Mr Baldwin is confident that with the traffic and production through the port it will gradually be comparitive to the size of Napier. "We are certainly not a little port tucked away, going to die.” he said.