Consent for Auckland wharf additions

PORT of Auckland (PoA) has jumped a hurdle in its plan to build one new berth and extend another, receiving provisional approval under a fast-track consent process.

The major project involves the construction of a new cruise and ro-ro berth, Bledisloe North Wharf, to accommodate larger cruise ships and maintain a second vehicle berth after the likely sale of one of the existing facilities, Captain Cook Wharf, to the Auckland Council for public use.

The second project will see the extension of Fergusson North [container] Wharf decking to enable ship-to-shore gantries to service vessels of up to 10,000 TEU.

PoA said he approved consent will enable the port to build the once-in-a-generation infrastructure needed to serve Auckland for decades to come.

CEO Roger Gray CEO described the approval as “a great milestone” and said he looked forward to working with the expert panel to finalise the consent conditions over the next few weeks.

"Bledisloe North Wharf is a key project of ours and was endorsed in the Auckland Council Long-term Plan. It will help us meet Auckland's freight needs, support the cruise industry, whilst also providing more access to the waterfront for Aucklanders and reducing congestion in the downtown ferry basin,” Mr Gray said.

"Fergusson North wharf is critical for the port to become big ship capable and serve Auckland's freight needs well into the future."

Throughout the process, PoA consulted widely with stakeholders, local communities, and iwi. “We are grateful for the thoughtful input and feedback we received, which played a crucial role in shaping the final plans,” he said.

PoA said the Bledisloe Wharf North will:

• Allow it to release 3.16 ha of waterfront land to Auckland Council (Captain Cook and Marsden wharves).
• Reduce conflicts with passenger ferries by relocating large cruise ships away from Princes Wharf.
• Provide a berth for RoRo vessels displaced from Captain Cook wharf.

The proposed multi-purpose BNW is a concrete piled wharf structure added to the end of the Bledisloe Wharf. It is not a reclamation. The berth will be around 13m in width, which is required in order to provide the berth depth required for the large ships. PoA hopes to begin construction in September 2025.

Fergusson Wharf North work involves filling in the gap between the wharf and the mooring dolphin:

• PoA can then continue to moor ships that hold up to 10,000 TEU, with the necessary quay crane accessibility – this is vital for New Zealand trade and for Auckland to remain a key hub port.
• Work will follow a similar process to BNW – extending the existing wharf to the dolphin, adding a concrete structure in the current empty space.
• There will be no disruption to the seabed or waterflow.
• Time frames for works to commence have not been confirmed at this stage.