Coastal shipping will resume on the West Coast of the South Island this month with the highly anticipated arrival of WMS Group-owned ship, Manahau into Westport this week.
The Manahau arrived in New Zealand waters on 22 July from Indonesia, and has been in Nelson for certifications and inspections.
WMS Group managing director Ray Mudgway said the ship’s arrival in New Zealand heralded a new era for the country’s coastal trade and imports and exports on the West Coast.
“This is a game changer for our business, and others operating on the Coast. Our work developing Buller and Grey ports and getting Manahau into operation is critical to strengthening New Zealand’s international and domestic supply chains.
“Not only can we export directly from the West Coast to global markets, we can now unlock the abundant aggregate, construction sand and hard rock resource on the Coast for the rest of New Zealand’s infrastructure projects.”
Mr Mudgway said WMS Group is working with a number of West Coast businesses who want to use Manahau to bring product in and out of Buller and Grey ports.
“The Manahau will change the way we move bulk commodities around New Zealand,” said Mr Mudgway. “It provides access in and out of smaller regional ports and rivers, at a capacity no other vessel in New Zealand can achieve.”
“Over the coming week we will be doing a few crossings of the bar to ensure our crew are familiar with the local conditions, then we will start shipping operations. The first load will be mineral sands from Westport to our customers in Asia.”
Overall, WMS Group operations are forecast to generate tens of millions for the West Coast economy. Ahead of Manahau’s arrival, the company hired 20 staff in its ports and shipping operations alone.
Mike Stewart, General Manager, West Coast Bulk Logistics said WMS Group has invested heavily into upgrading the barge to ensure it is suitable for New Zealand waters, and has spent the last three years working with councils to get the ports ready.
“The value of the vessel is the multi-use opportunities it allows,” said Mr Stewart. “In addition to being used for our operations, Manahau will be utilised by other organisations to move bulk goods like aggregates and hard rock around the country.
“The Manahau is unlocking stranded assets, delivering critical commodities to our national infrastructure projects in the North island, providing greater access to international markets for New Zealand exporters, and supporting the government to access shallower waters and coastal communities in times of emergency.”
Mr Mudgway says WMS Group is proud to play a key role in improving the West Coast into a critical coastal shipping region, supporting regional economic development for generations to come, and creating much needed resilience for our West Coast communities.
