Hi-cubes make a bit of rail history
KiwiRail promises more freight movement from Northland as PGF helps with redevelopment of network
Hi-cube shipping containers are being moved up to 54 at a time from Whanga¯rei to Auckland on the revamped rail line for the first time and KiwiRail is promising increased movement of freight after successful trials.
The first lot of containers left the KiwiRail yard on Porowini Rd in Whanga¯rei about 4pm yesterday destined for the Auckland port.
The vessel Tianjin Bridge arrived at Northport with about 919 containers, some travelling to Auckland by train, others by road.
The revamped line between Whanga¯rei and Swanson in west Auckland opened on January 11, following funding from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund. Trains have the capacity to carry 1350 tonnes of freight, equivalent to 54 full,
six-metre containers.
The train journey to Auckland usually takes six hours but may take more time with new tracks and speed restrictions as more work is undertaken along the route.
Graeme Brown of ANL and CMA CGM, the shipping agents for Tianjin Bridge, said it was good to have the option of delivering freight by rail as it would free up trucks on the road.
“It would be a lot easier if there’s a rail line to Northport because it provides a really good option for our customers. Northport is now being considered by a lot of shipping lines as an option.”
The company was also the
agent for
Constantinos P, the biggest container ship to dock at Northport in December, and Brown said everyone was better prepared to handle logistics this time round.
Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stephen Smith said the transportation of containers by rail from Whanga¯rei showed the region had the potential to handle logistically-challenging tasks even while lacking key infrastructure.
“Logistically, getting the containers
from Northport to Whanga¯rei is a bit of a farce, but it’s manageable. The midterm expectation is for rail to be extended to the port.”
Smith said the unloading of containers from the Constantinos P and the Tianjin Bridge was additional activity for Northland and key to unlocking the region’s potential.
“A further extension of that rail network makes full sense and what it can do to make freight cheaper and take the load off our roads.”
KiwiRail group chief executive Greg Miller said the re-opened rail line signalled the state-owned enterprise was open for business, ready to support importers, and also building resilience and sustainability into its transport network.
“It also ties in with our ongoing efforts to address the freight backlog. Freight is core to KiwiRail’s business and moving more freight by rail is a key objective.”
He said fewer trucks on roads also meant less congestion, lower road maintenance costs, greater road safety, and fewer emissions as every tonne of freight carried by rail produced 70 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the equivalent carried by road.
Miller said in the tunnels, KiwiRail built on the experience and relationships forged in the Kaiko¯ ura recovery and included tested construction firms and key individuals from the outset.
“In addition to lowering the tunnels, we undertook essential repair works. As we progressed, it became apparent that had this major investment not been made, the line would have closed.”
All the new and rehabilitated structures have clearance through the tunnels for electrification to be added later, which helps to further improve the network’s resilience over time.
“Throughout the project we created employment in Northland for everyone from new trainees to skilled professionals. For example, local firm Busck supplied sleepers and prefabricated bridge sections, and United Civil was the lead contractor on some bridges and some tunnel works.
“While we are delighted that this section of the line is up and running, there’s some more intricate work to the tunnel linings required. Additionally, to allow greater train speed and axle weight, over time we will be replacing another 10km of rail and laying more than 100,000 sleepers,” Miller said.
He said KiwiRail did not yet have a spur directly to Northport but the PGF funding had allowed it to begin