The total tonnage of 2.302 million tonnes eclipses the port’s 2014 result of 2.274 million tonnes, and is a 59,000 increase on the 2015 throughput, despite uncertain indications from forestry customers earlier in the year.
The port’s general manager, Andrew Gaddum says the results are encouraging for the port, the forestry industry, and consequently for the Tairawhiti region as a whole.
“The port provides vital infrastructure for a forestry industry that continues to grow, and which has been the single biggest contributor to Gisborne’s GDP since 2012.”
Of the 133 ships to dock at Eastland Port over the 2016 financial year, 113 were logging ships, reflected in the fact that 98.4% of total exports were raw logs. The remaining exports were squash and kiwifruit. In addition to export vessels, 11 cruise ships visited during the 12 months to 31 March 2016.
The port’s busiest ever month was recorded in February this year, with a total cargo of 264,000 exported.
The debarking operation completely removes the bark from logs, rendering them insect free and able to be loaded as deck cargo without the issues associated with traditional methyl bromide treatment. The removal of the bark also allows for a few more to be loaded into a ship’s cargo hold.
