PORT CONGESTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 18

PORT CONGESTION

AUCKLAND POSITION | INCREASE IN BERTHAGE BOARD'S HOPES FROM PLANS Congestion 011 the Auckland wharves and among shipping will be considerably reduced with the construction of an export wharf, said tho Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C., chairman of tho Auckland Harbour Board, yesterday in reply to statements that on a number of occasions vessels had been detained at anchor in tho stream because all berths were occupied, and that the rapid succession of ships in the berths had resulted in congestion in the sheds. Mr. Bloodworth said that such congestion was liable to happen and did happen in all well-conducted ports. There was, however, a natural tendency for the public in general to regard such happenings as an indication of a lack of foresight and appreciation of their responsibilities by the authorities who controlled tho port, and upon whose decision the provision of port facilities lay. The fluctuations in shipping arrivals at any port were so marked that frequently p, large percentage of available berthage was unoccupied, and consequently unremunerative. Relationship to Costs

" While it would be gratifying to local pride to be able to claim that all ships visiting a port could be berthed immediately," Mr. Bloodworth confined, "it would certainly be evidence of unjustified capital expenditure which must result in increased transportation costs, to bo subsequently reflected in costs of living."

At present-day costs of construction and operation, and assuming the charges were evenly spread over shipping and goods, the provision of one additional oversea berth would, on the present trade of this port, bo equivalent to an annual charge of approximately }d a ton on every ton of shipping which entered the port, and Id a ton on each ton of cargo which passed over the wharves.

Such increases in annual costs could only bo undertaken prudently when the cost to the shipping of possible delays boro a reasonable relationship to the cost to the public of providing additional berthage and equipment. Tonnage and Goods

" Although tho tonnage of shipping has increased more rapidly," said Mr. Bloodworth, "the actual tonnage of goods handled over the wharves at Auckland for the year ended September 30, 1937, was less than four per cent greater than in 1928-29. Twelve months ago, when the cargo handled was still 2.8 per cent less than in 1928-29, and the future more less uncertain, the board decided to provide an additional oversea berth by dredging and installing equipment at Central Wharf, at the same time building a new wharf for coastal shipping to replace tho berthage so absorbed. The estimated cost of these works was approximately £70,000, and they are now well advanced toward completion. " During the year just past, as the result of the continued improvement in the general outlook and the indication of a still further increase in trade, the board adopted a programme of port development involving an estimated cost of £1,190,000, and promoted legislation empowering it to raise loan moneys to carry out the works. Work Already in Hand

The first item of this programme, the construction of an export wharf, providing in the meantime two additional oversea berths, but capable of extension to four berths, has already been put in hand, and steel supplies for tho first section of this major work were ordered in July last year. This complete work will cost £-183,000, and because of its modern equipment and design, and the special nature of tho services it will perform, it is anticipated that it will be the greatest advance in harbour development in the Dominion and considerably reduce congestion on city roads and streets in tho neighbourhood of the wharves.