Freight Information
Gathering System &
Container Handling Statistics
October 2014 – September 2015
Ensuring our transport system
helps New Zealand thrive
December 2015
ISSN 2253-2560
Contents
1.
Executive summary ................................................................................................................. 3
Section A – Trade Data ........................................................................................................... 4
Section B – Coastal Bulk Cargo............................................................................................. 11
Section C – Container Freight................................................................................................ 12
2.
Container shipping at a glance .............................................................................................. 12
3.
Map 1: Container loads and discharges (full and empty) ........................................................ 16
4.
Map 2: Container loads and discharges (full) ......................................................................... 17
5.
Map 3: Container loads and discharges (empty) .................................................................... 18
6.
Container movements: imports, exports, and transhipment loads........................................... 19
7.
International ship visits and container exchanges .................................................................. 20
8.
Ship visits.............................................................................................................................. 22
9.
Exports and imports – 20 foot and 40 foot container balance ................................................. 24
10.
Coastal movements............................................................................................................... 25
11.
Map 4: Arrival port – where the containers are from ............................................................... 26
12.
Map 5: Departure port – where the containers are going ........................................................ 27
13.
Containerised export classification......................................................................................... 28
14.
Land transportation mode – road or rail ................................................................................. 30
15.
Coastal movements of containers on domestic ships ............................................................. 31
16.
Hazardous containerised cargo ............................................................................................. 32
Section D – Container Handling Statistics .............................................................................. 33
Section E – Rail and Road Data ............................................................................................ 36
17.
FIGS cargo movements – explanatory note ........................................................................... 41
18.
Glossary................................................................................................................................ 44
Appendix A – Quarterly Trade Commodity Codes .................................................................. 45
Page 2 of 45
1. Executive summary
This Freight Information Gathering System (FIGS) report covers the period 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015.
Exports and imports
39.3 million tonnes were exported from New Zealand by sea in the year to September 2015. By volume, 65 percent
was bulk exports, and 35 percent was containerised. The real value of sea exports was $43.9 billion, of which 82
percent was containerised and 18 percent was bulk export.
20.0 million tonnes were imported by sea in the year to September 2015. In real value, imports by sea were worth
$53.3 billion.
More information on quarterly trade data is available in section A.
Ship visits
New Zealand is continuing to see a marked increase in ship visits made by large ships. In the quarter ending June
2012 there were 5 ship visits from ships of 5000 TEU or greater; in the quarter ending September 2015 there were
43. Approximately 42 percent of import and export containers travel by ships of 4000 TEU or greater.
In September 2015, the share of import and export containers carried on 4000 TEU or greater ships was 39.2%
More information about ship visits is available in section C.
Container handling statistics
The container handling statistics for New Zealand measure ship rate, crane rate, and vessel rate. The weighted
average ship rate, the average crane rate, and the weighted average vessel rate per labour hour were relatively
unchanged in the quarter ending September 2015.
More information about container handling statistics is available in section D.
Rail freight
Dairy and milk products, wood products, and coal were the largest commodity groups moved by rail in the year to
September 2015. Cumulatively they accounted for 60.3 percent of all rail tonnes, and 44.6 percent of all rail tonnekms.
More information about rail movements is available in section E.
Page 3 of 45
Section A – Trade Data
The following data has been provided by Statistics New Zealand. It provides a summary of all international freight
movements, both containerised and bulk. All values have been split into sea and airfreight. Appendix A provides more
detail on commodity codes.
Figure A1: Rolling 12 month real export value ($m)
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
08Q4
09Q4
10Q4
11Q4
12Q4
Containerised
13Q4
14Q4
Bulk
Figures A1 and A2 show the value and volume of bulk and containerised trade from New Zealand. Containers made
up the majority of value for exports, at 82 percent for the year to September 2015, whereas bulk provided the majority
of volume for exports, at 65 percent.
Figure A2: Rolling 12 month export volume (tonnes 000)
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
08Q4
09Q4
10Q4
11Q4
12Q4
Containerised
13Q4
14Q4
Bulk
Figures A3 and A4 shows that the average value per tonne over the year to September 2015 for containerised goods
is 8.4 times higher than for bulk exports, at $2,625 to $314.
Figure A3: Real containerised export
value per tonne (NZ $)
Figure A4: Real bulk export value per
tonne (NZ $)
600
3,000
2,800
400
2,600
2,400
200
2,200
Page 4 of 45
15Q2
14Q4
14Q2
13Q4
13Q2
12Q4
12Q2
11Q4
11Q2
10Q4
10Q2
09Q4
09Q2
0
08Q4
15Q2
14Q4
14Q2
13Q4
13Q2
12Q4
12Q2
11Q4
11Q2
10Q4
10Q2
09Q4
09Q2
08Q4
2,000
Figure A5: Sea export volume (tonnes 000)
Rolling 12 month totals
45,000
40,000
Forestry products
35,000
Other, confidential
30,000
Metals
25,000
20,000
Machinery, electrical, transport
15,000
Chemicals, plastics, rubber
10,000
Minerals, coal, oil
5,000
Food, skins, wool
14Q4
13Q4
12Q4
11Q4
10Q4
09Q4
08Q4
07Q4
06Q4
05Q4
04Q4
03Q4
02Q4
01Q4
00Q4
0
Dairy
39.3 million tonnes were exported through sea ports in the year to September 2015, a small increase from the year to
June 2015. Of the 39.3 million tonnes, 23.3 million tonnes were forestry products.
Figure A6: Real sea export value ($m)
Rolling 12 month totals
50,000
Forestry products
45,000
Other, confidential
40,000
Metals
35,000
30,000
Machinery, electrical, transport
25,000
20,000
Chemicals, plastics, rubber
15,000
Minerals, coal, oil
10,000
Food, skins, wool
5,000
14Q4
13Q4
12Q4
11Q4
10Q4
09Q4
08Q4
07Q4
06Q4
05Q4
04Q4
03Q4
02Q4
01Q4
00Q4
0
Dairy
The real value of sea exports in the year to September 2015 was $43.9 billion, of which $12.0 billion was dairy. The
real value of dairy exports increased slightly from the year to June 2015.
Page 5 of 45
Figure A7: Sea import volume (tonnes 000)
Rolling 12 month totals
25,000
Other
20,000
Vehicles (road,rail,air,sea)
15,000
Machinery/electrical
10,000
Metals
Chemicals, plastics, rubbers
5,000
Oil and coal
14Q4
13Q4
12Q4
11Q4
10Q4
09Q4
08Q4
07Q4
06Q4
05Q4
04Q4
03Q4
02Q4
01Q4
00Q4
0
Food
20.0 million tonnes were imported through sea ports in the year to September 2015, of which 8.2 million tonnes were
oil and coal.
The real value of sea imports in the year to September 2015 was $53.3 billion. $9.9 billion was vehicles. Oil and coal
accounted for $8.07 billion and chemicals, plastics, and rubber accounted for $7.9 billion.
Figure A8: Real sea import value ($m)
Rolling 12 month totals
60,000
Other
50,000
Vehicles (road,rail,air,sea)
40,000
Machinery/electrical
30,000
Metals
20,000
Chemicals, plastics, rubber
10,000
Oil and coal
Food
Page 6 of 45
14Q4
13Q4
12Q4
11Q4
10Q4
09Q4
08Q4
07Q4
06Q4
05Q4
04Q4
03Q4
02Q4
01Q4
00Q4
0
Figures A9 and A10 show calendar year data of export and import tonnage by port.
1
Figure A9: Export tonnage (000)
12 months ending September
4 Port of
2 Ports of
Tauranga 3 Taharoa Auckland 1 North Port
5 Port
Gisborne
0
2009/10
2010/11
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
2011/12
2013/14
2009/10
2011/12
2013/14
2009/10
2011/12
2013/14
2010/11
2012/13
2014/15
2012/13
6 Port of
Napier
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
7 Port
Taranaki
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
Containerised
A Port
Nelson
9 Port
Marlborough 8 Centreport
2014/15
Bulk
2010/11
2012/13
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
D Port
Otago
C Primeport
B Lyttelton
Timaru
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
E Southport
2014/15
2010/11
2012/13
2014/15
Exports from New Zealand’s 14 exporting ports over the year to September 2015 range from 13.5 million tonnes at
Port of Tauranga to 799,000 tonnes at Port Marlborough. Port of Tauranga continues to be both the biggest bulk and
containerised exporting port.
1
For Figure A9, under the Statistics Act 1975 section 37 there is no export data for Port of Taharoa in the information provided by
Customs/Statistics NZ.
Page 7 of 45
Figure A10: Import tonnage (000)
12 months ending September
E Southport
D Port Otago
C Primeport
Timaru
B Lyttelton
9
Port
Marl
boro
A Port Nelson ugh 8 Centreport
7 Port
Taranaki
6 Port of
Napier
5 Port
Gisborne
4 Port of
Tauranga
2 Ports of
Auckland
1 North Port
0
1000
2000
3000
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2012/13
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
4000
5000
6000
7000
Containerised
Bulk
The highest volume of imports at a New Zealand seaport was 5.6 million tonnes at North Port. North Port continues to
be the largest bulk importer, whilst Ports of Auckland continues to be the largest containerised importer with 3.1 million
tonnes.
Page 8 of 45
Figure A11: Air trade volume (tonnes 000)
Rolling 12 month totals
120
100
80
60
40
20
Volume exported
14Q4
13Q4
12Q4
11Q4
10Q4
09Q4
08Q4
07Q4
06Q4
05Q4
04Q4
03Q4
02Q4
01Q4
00Q4
0
Volume imported
The volume of New Zealand exports and imports by air in the year to September 2015 was relatively unchanged
compared to the year to June 2015.
Air freight carried 0.3 percent of New Zealand’s exports by volume, and 14.2 percent by value in the year to
September 2015. It also carried 0.5 percent of imports by volume and 21.4 percent of imports by value.
Figure A12: Real air trade value ($m)
Rolling 12 month totals
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
Real value exported
Page 9 of 45
Real value imported
14Q4
13Q4
12Q4
11Q4
10Q4
09Q4
08Q4
07Q4
06Q4
05Q4
04Q4
03Q4
02Q4
01Q4
00Q4
0
Figure A13 provides a breakdown of forestry product exports by type. Forestry products comprised 59.3 percent of
New Zealand’s sea exports by volume and 11.0 percent of sea exports by value in the year to September 2015.
Forestry products exported were 23.3 million tonnes in the year to September 2015, of which 74.0 percent were logs,
14.8 percent were pulp and paper, 8.8 percent were processed timber, and 2.5 percent were wood chips.
Figure A13: Foresty product export volume (tonnes)
25,000
20,000
15,000
wood chips
pulp and paper
10,000
processed timber
logs
5,000
0
05Q4
06Q4
07Q4
08Q4
09Q4
10Q4
11Q4
12Q4
13Q4
14Q4
Logs at $129 per tonne make up 41.9 percent of forestry exports by value, processed timber at $769 a tonne make up
28.9 percent, pulp and paper at $419 a tonne make up 27.2 percent, and wood chips at $111 a tonne make up 1.2
percent.
Figure A14: Foresty product export value ($m)
6,000
5,000
4,000
wood chips
3,000
pulp and paper
processed timber
2,000
logs
1,000
0
05Q4
06Q4
07Q4
08Q4
09Q4
10Q4
11Q4
12Q4
Page 10 of 45
13Q4
14Q4
Section B – Coastal Bulk Cargo
The following data has been provided by Coastal Oil Logistics Ltd and Z Energy Ltd, for domestic oil shipments since
July 2009. Coastal Oil Logistics Ltd is owned by, and provides oil supply to, New Zealand’s four largest petrol
companies: BP Oil New Zealand Ltd, Chevron New Zealand Ltd, Mobil Oil New Zealand Ltd, and Z Energy Ltd. This
data includes oil shipped to Auckland by Z Energy on their barge ‘Awanuia’.
Figure B1: Oil deliveries from Marsden Point
800,000
700,000
Tonnes
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
Oct10-Sep11
Oct11-Sep12
Oct12-Sep13
Oct13-Sep14
Oct14-Sep15
Mount Maunganui remains the largest single destination for oil deliveries, followed by Lyttelton and Wellington.
2.55 million tonnes of oil were shipped domestically from Marsden Point in the year to September 2015.
Page 11 of 45
Section C – Container Freight
2. Container shipping at a glance
Auckland data issue
A problem has been encountered with the data feed from Ports of Auckland since late July 2015. Every effort has
been made to correct the data feed, but there are container movements missing (the Auckland FIGS loads and
discharges are still 2.6% lower than the Auckland container handling numbers) and some transhipments appear to be
domestic movements.
This has affected many of the figures in the FIGS report. Ports of Auckland is working on the issue, and it may be
possible to improve some of the figures in the report for this quarter in a subsequent report.
This section of the report provides data since January 2012. The graphs that follow illustrate the following major
trends:
•
While import and export TEU volumes are increasing, the increase in nominal container ship capacity has
2
been far greater.
•
The five main ports have increasingly large proportions of their import/export containers travelling on ships of
4000 TEU or more in the quarter ending September 2015. Lyttelton Port had 67 percent, Port Otago had 60
percent, Port of Tauranga had 48 percent, Ports of Auckland had 36 percent, and Port of Napier had 37
percent.
•
Around 39.2 percent of import/export containers travel on ships of 4000 TEU or more.
•
40 foot refrigerated containers have replaced some of the 20 foot refrigerated containers.
•
Since 2012, the percentage of full export containers has dropped from 88 percent to 85 percent.
•
Because of the high number of refrigerated containers that are imported empty, only about 71.3 percent of
import containers are full.
•
Since 2012, the share of rail movement of containers to and from the ports have varied between 19 and 26
percent. It was 19 percent in the quarter ending September 2015.
•
Port of Tauranga volumes have increased because Maersk has moved a service from Auckland to Tauranga.
•
PrimePort Timaru TEU was at its lowest at below 20,000 TEU in the year ending December 2013, but has
been increasing since then to around 78,000 TEU in the year ending September 2015.
2
The ship TEU capacity reported is the nominal ship container capacity. In reality, it may not be possible to fully load ships due to the
weight of our export containers, and ships that are already partially loaded with containers from Australia on some trade routes.
Page 12 of 45
TEU volumes
Cargo on ships of 4000 TEU or more (rolling 12 months)
Since 2012, imported TEU volumes are up 13% and export volumes are
up 11%. The transhipment/domestic change shown is incorrect, and is
due to the Auckland data issue
Recently ships of 4000 TEU or more have handled a significant share of
the import and export containers at the five main ports – Lyttelton, Port
Otago, Port of Tauranga, Ports of Auckland and Port of Napier.
135
70%
130
125
60%
120
50%
115
Lyttelton
Port Otago
Ports of Auckland
Port of Napier
Centreport
Port of Tauranga
40%
110
30%
105
100
20%
95
90
Dec12
10%
Jun13
Export
Domestic
Dec13
Jun14
Dec14
Jun15
Import
Transhipment/re-export/?
Import and export containers moved on ships of 4000 TEU
or more
The proportion of import and export containers moved on ships of 4000
TEU or more peaked at over 50% in February 2015, but has fallen to
around 39%.
0%
Dec12
Jun13
Dec13
Jun-14
Dec-14
Jun-15
Are export containers full (rolling 12 months)?
Since 2012 there has been a decline in the percentage of containers
exported full due mainly to a rise in the rate of empty 20 foot containers
3
being exported. Almost all reefer containers exported are full.
100%
60%
95%
90%
50%
85%
40%
80%
75%
30%
70%
20%
65%
10%
60%
Dec12
0%
Jan-12
Jul-12
Jan-13
Jul-13
Jan-14
Jul-14
Jan-15
Jun13
Dec13
Jun-14
20ft full
40ft full
All containers
Jul-15
Dec-14
Jun-15
20ft reefer full
40ft reefer full
Export container types (rolling 12 months)
Are import containers full (rolling 12 months)?
The comparison with 2012 shows a move from 20 foot refrigerated
containers to 40 foot.
There has been a slight increase in the percentage of import containers
that are full compared with 2012, but the overall rate is limited as most
refrigerated containers arrive empty.
130
100%
120
80%
110
60%
100
40%
20%
90
80
Dec-12
Containers imported - 12 month totals
0%
Dec-12
Jun-13
20ft
Dec-13
20ft reefer
Jun-14
Dec-14
40ft
Jun-15
40ft reefer
3
Jun-13
Dec-13
20ft full
40ft full
All containers
Jun-14
Dec-14
20ft reefer full
40ft reefer full
Further information is provided in the Supplementary FIGS report – empty container movements at
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Sea/Documents/Empty-container-supplementary-FIGS-report-Dec2014.pdf
Page 13 of 45
Jun-15
Import container types (rolling 12 months)
Land movement of containers to/from the ports (quarterly)
The import container mix shows the same trend as the export mix – a
Rail’s relative share of the container movements to and from the ports
decrease in 20ft refrigerated containers and an increase in 40ft relative to had been dropping, but is going up again due to the higher numbers
2012.
through Tauranga
130
160,000
120
120,000
110
80,000
100
40,000
90
0
80
Dec-12
Jun-13
20ft
Dec-13
Jun-14
20ft reefer
40ft
Dec-14
12Q1
Jun-15
40ft reefer
12Q3
Rail In
13Q1
13Q3
Rail Out
14Q1
14Q3
Road In
15Q1
Size of container ships visiting NZ (quarterly)
Total TEU capacity of ships visiting NZ (quarterly)
The visits by ships of 4000 TEU or more to New Zealand started
increasing in quarter 4 of 2012.
Adding ships of 4000 TEU or more to the NZ trade lead to a
considerable increase in nominal capacity.
100%
15Q3
Road Out
700,000
90%
600,000
80%
70%
500,000
60%
400,000
50%
40%
300,000
30%
200,000
20%
100,000
10%
0%
12Q1
12Q3 13Q1
500-999
13Q3 14Q1
1000-2499
14Q3 15Q1
2500-2999
0
12Q1
15Q3
12Q3 13Q1
500-999
13Q3 14Q1
1000-2499
14Q3 15Q1 15Q3
2500-2999
TEU exchanges by ships visiting NZ (quarterly)
TEU loads and discharges (rolling 12 months)
Exchanges by smaller ships have dropped in total and per visit,
suggesting that their utilisation may be declining.
Imports and exports make up the great majority of loads and discharges.
The transhipment/domestic change shown is incorrect, and is due to the
Auckland data issue
450,000
1,000,000
400,000
350,000
800,000
300,000
250,000
600,000
200,000
150,000
400,000
100,000
50,000
0
12Q1
5000+
200,000
12Q3
4000-4999
13Q1
13Q3
3000-3999
14Q1
2500-2999
14Q3
15Q1
1000-2499
15Q3
500-999
0
Dec12
Jun13
Export
Domestic
Page 14 of 45
Dec13
Jun14
Dec14
Jun15
Import
Transhipment/re-export/?
Rolling 12 month TEU totals
Ports of Auckland
Port of Tauranga
1,000,000
1,000,000
800,000
800,000
600,000
600,000
400,000
400,000
200,000
200,000
0
0
12Q4
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
12Q4
Tranship+other
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
Port of Napier
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
Tranship+other
Port Taranaki
20,000
300,000
250,000
15,000
200,000
10,000
150,000
100,000
5,000
50,000
0
0
12Q4
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
12Q4
Tranship+other
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
14Q2
Domestic
Centreport
14Q4
15Q2
Tranship+other
Port Nelson
120,000
100,000
100,000
80,000
80,000
60,000
60,000
40,000
40,000
20,000
20,000
0
0
13Q1
13Q3
Export
14Q1
Import
14Q3
Domestic
15Q1
15Q3
12Q4
Tranship+other
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
Lyttelton
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
Tranship+other
Primeport Timaru
400,000
100,000
80,000
300,000
60,000
200,000
40,000
100,000
20,000
0
0
12Q4
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
12Q4
Tranship+other
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
Port Otago
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
Tranship+other
Southport
200,000
40,000
150,000
30,000
100,000
20,000
50,000
10,000
0
0
12Q4
13Q2
Export
13Q4
Import
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
12Q4
Tranship+other
13Q2
Export
Page 15 of 45
13Q4
Import
14Q2
Domestic
14Q4
15Q2
Tranship+other
3. Map 1: Container loads and discharges (full and empty)
Page 16 of 45
4. Map 2: Container loads and discharges (full)
Page 17 of 45
5. Map 3: Container loads and discharges (empty)
Page 18 of 45
6. Container movements: imports, exports, and transhipment loads
Figure C1 shows the split of imports, exports, and transhipment movements by port over the last 12 months. The
transhipment/domestic mix shown is incorrect, and is due to the Auckland data issue.
Please note: These graphs show TEU movements. Imports are reported to FIGS as container discharges, exports
as container loads, and coastal transhipments as a load in one port and a discharge in another. To prevent double
counting of transhipments only loads of coastal transhipments are included in this analysis.
Figure C1: Import, export and transhipment movements (TEU)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Ports of
Port of
Auckland Tauranga
Imports
Port of
Napier
Exports
Port
Centreport Port Nelson Lyttelton
Taranaki
Export transhipment load
PrimePortPort Otago South Port
Timaru
Import transhipment load
Figure C1 shows that by type of container movement, imports were the most common at Ports of Auckland, while
exports were the most common at Port of Tauranga.
Figure C2 shows that the Ports of Auckland had the largest overall TEU movements, and the majority of import
transhipment loads. Those transhipment numbers are lower than they should be, due to the Auckland data issue.
Figure C2: Import, export and transhipment movements (TEU)
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
Ports of
Port of
Auckland Tauranga
Imports
Port of
Napier
Exports
Port Centreport
Taranaki
Port
Nelson
Export transhipment load
Page 19 of 45
Lyttelton
PrimePortPort Otago South Port
Timaru
Import transhipment load
7. International ship visits and container exchanges
The following information relates only to TEU carried on international ships. For a definition of ‘international ship,’
see page 44.
3,343 port visits and 934 ship visits were made in the year to September 2015.
A ‘ship visit’ is a trip to New Zealand by a vessel. Multiple ports may be visited on one ship visit.
A ‘port visit’ is a visit to a specific port by a vessel. A ship that visited multiple ports will be recorded in multiple
columns.
Ports of
Auckland
Port of
Tauranga
Port of
Napier
CentrePort
Port
Nelson
Lyttelton
PrimePort
Timaru
Port Otago
South Port
Total
Table 9: International port visits October 2014 – September 2015
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
< 500
3
33
7
0
1
0
0
0
0
44
500-999
57
108
11
0
1
10
0
0
0
187
1000-1499
27
34
26
0
7
0
0
0
0
94
1500-1999
50
59
5
29
34
36
0
0
0
213
2000-2499
47
61
50
22
15
46
29
18
10
298
2500-2999
206
172
112
112
92
82
69
34
24
903
3000-3499
103
64
58
24
17
15
25
47
16
369
3500-3999
137
105
58
16
3
29
8
38
8
402
4000-4499
122
123
116
35
0
110
4
38
3
551
4500-4999
25
73
21
12
0
70
0
59
0
260
5000-5499
7
19
1
0
0
13
0
13
0
53
Total
784
851
465
250
170
412
135
247
61
3,375
Ship size – TEU
capacity
Unknown
Figure C3 shows the average, maximum, and median number of TEU exchanged per ship visit at each port in the
year to September 2015. The largest exchange was made at Port of Tauranga, where 5,727 TEU were exchanged
in a single visit.
Figure C3: TEU exchanges by international ships
Oct 2014 - Sep 2015
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
average
2,000
maximum
1,000
median
0
Page 20 of 45
Figure C4 shows the trend to ships of 4000 TEU or more visiting New Zealand. Comparing the container
exchanges in Figure C4 with the visits in Section 8, container exchanges per visit were dropping except for ships of
4000 TEU or more.
Figure C4: TEU exchanges by ships visiting NZ, by ship size
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
12Q2
12Q4
13Q2
13Q4
14Q2
14Q4
15Q2
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
12Q2
12Q4
13Q2
13Q4
14Q2
14Q4
15Q2
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
0
500-999 teu
1000-2499 teu
2500-2999 teu
3000-3999 teu
4000+ teu
Figure C5: TEU exchanges per visit to NZ, by ship size
5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
0
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
12Q2
12Q4
13Q2
13Q4
14Q2
14Q4
15Q2
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
12Q2
12Q4
13Q2
13Q4
14Q2
14Q4
15Q2
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
500
500-999 teu
1000-2499 teu
2500-2999 teu
Page 21 of 45
3000-3999 teu
4000+ teu
8. Ship visits
The following information is derived from the Marine Safety Charge statistics, from Maritime New Zealand.
Figure C6 shows trends in the number and types of ships that have visited New Zealand since 2007. The number
of container ship visits has fallen over this time.
Figure C6: Quarterly ship visits
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
07Q3
08Q3
09Q3
Container ships
Reefer
10Q3
11Q3
Bulk Carrier
Roro
12Q3
13Q3
14Q3
Oil/gas/tanker
Vehicle Carrier
15Q3
General Cargo
Passenger Ship
Figure C7 shows that median container ship capacity is continuing to increase, and the total capacity has also risen
despite the reduction in ship visits. Since the fourth quarter of 2007, the median TEU capacity of container ships
visiting New Zealand has increased from 1,819 to 2,824 in the third quarter of 2015. Figure C7 also shows the
trend towards larger ships, with the biggest ship to visit New Zealand having a 5,057 TEU capacity.
Figure C7: Total and median quarterly TEU capacity
700,000
6,000
600,000
5,000
500,000
4,000
400,000
3,000
300,000
2,000
200,000
1,000
100,000
0
07Q3
0
08Q3
09Q3
Total ship TEU capacity
10Q3
11Q3
12Q3
Median ship TEU capacity
Page 22 of 45
13Q3
14Q3
15Q3
Max TEU size
Figures C8 – C10 shows the TEU capacity mix of the container ships that have visited New Zealand. The number
of visits by ships under 2,500 TEU has dropped while the number of visits of ships of 4000 TEU or more has
increased.
Figure C8: Size of container ships visiting NZ (TEU)
90
80
70
Visits
60
50
40
30
20
10
500-999 teu
100%
1000-2499 teu
2500-2999 teu
3000-3999 teu
15Q1
14Q2
13Q3
12Q4
12Q1
15Q1
14Q2
13Q3
12Q4
12Q1
15Q1
14Q2
13Q3
12Q4
12Q1
15Q1
14Q2
13Q3
12Q4
12Q1
15Q1
14Q2
13Q3
12Q4
12Q1
0
4000+ teu
Figure C9: Size of container ships visiting NZ (TEU)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
12Q1
12Q3
500-999
700,000
13Q1
1000-2499
13Q3
2500-2999
14Q1
14Q3
3000-3999
15Q1
4000-4999
15Q3
5000+
Figure C10: Total TEU capacity of ships visiting NZ
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
12Q1
12Q3
500-999
13Q1
1000-2499
13Q3
2500-2999
14Q1
3000-3999
14Q3
15Q1
4000-4999
15Q3
5000+
Note: Total TEU capacity is nominal as it may not be possible to fully load ships due to the weight of New Zealand
export containers, and on some trade routes the ships may already be partially loaded with containers from
Australia.
Page 23 of 45
9. Exports and imports – 20 foot and 40 foot container balance
Figure C11 shows the net tonnage (loaded container weight less the weight of the container) exported by container
type. While there is a trend towards 40ft reefer containers, the proportion of 20ft and 40ft dry containers is not
changing markedly.
Figure C11: Net export tonnage
Rolling 12 month totals
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
12Q4 13Q1 13Q2 13Q3 13Q4 14Q1 14Q2 14Q3 14Q4 15Q1 15Q2 14Q5
20ft
40ft
20ft reefer
40ft reefer
Figure C12 shows the net tonnes imported by container type. The proportions of the various container types are
not changing. 20ft containers carry much of the import traffic, but Figure C11 shows that 40ft containers carry a
majority of the dry exports.
Figure C12: Net import tonnage
Rolling 12 month totals
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
12Q4 13Q1 13Q2 13Q3 13Q4 14Q1 14Q2 14Q3 14Q4 15Q1 15Q2 15Q3
20ft
40ft
20ft reefer
40ft reefer
There is more information in the above section “Container shipping at a glance”.
Page 24 of 45
10. Coastal movements
Figure C13 shows the movements of containers, both intra and inter-island. In recent quarters the greatest
movements have been North Island to South Island full (NI to SI full), and South Island to North Island full (SI to NI
full) and intra-North Island empty (NI to NI empty).
The large number of intra-North Island empty movements are due to trade imbalance (Ports of Auckland is New
Zealand’s largest container import port, and Port of Tauranga is the largest port for container exports). This
imbalance requires the movement of empty containers around the country.
Figure C13: Movements between NZ ports
Rolling 12 month totals
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
12Q4 13Q1 13Q2 13Q3 13Q4 14Q1 14Q2 14Q3 14Q4 15Q1 15Q2
NI to NI Empty
NI to NI Full
NI to SI Empty
NI to SI Full
SI to NI Empty
SI to NI Full
SI to SI Empty
SI to SI Full
Figure C14 shows the growth in coastal movements relative to the fourth quarter of 2012. For instance the ‘13Q1’
bar shows the 12 months to March 2013 relative to 2012. Coastal movements have grown slightly more than
imports and exports (also see the above “Container shipping at a glance” on page 12).
Figure C14: Growth in coastal movements
Rolling 12 months
116
112
108
104
100
96
92
12Q4
13Q1
13Q2
13Q3
13Q4
14Q1
14Q2
14Q3
14Q4
Maps 4 and 5 show where coastal container movements originate and finish.
Page 25 of 45
15Q1
15Q2
15Q3
11. Map 4: Arrival port – where the containers are from
Coastal TEU movements
35,000
17,500
3,500
to Ports of Auckland
to Port of Tauranga
to Port of Napier
to Port Taranaki
to CentrePort
to Port Nelson
to Lyttelton
to PrimePort Timaru
to Port Otago
to South Port
Page 26 of 45
12. Map 5: Departure port – where the containers are going
Coastal TEU movements
35,000
17,500
3,500
from Ports of Auckland
from Port Tauranga
from Port of Napier
from Port Taranaki
from Centreport
from Port Nelson
from Lyttelton
from PrimePort Timaru
from Port Otago
from South Port
Page 27 of 45
13. Containerised export classification
Dairy products are the largest containerised export commodity group. Food varies by season from 67.0 percent to
54.0 percent of the classifiable TEU. Wood and paper products vary between 23.0 percent and 33.0 percent (some
of the cargo in the FIGS data feed cannot be classified).
Figure C15: Export TEU
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
Animal : dairy
Foodstuffs
Paper products
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
Animal : meat
Vegetable products
Other
15Q1
15Q3
Animal : fish
Wood products
Not classifiable
Note: Unclassified food has been included in foodstuffs
Figure C16: Share of the classified TEU
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
Food
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
Wood+paper products
Page 28 of 45
15Q1
15Q3
Table 13 shows the types of container used for imports and exports of commodities.
Exports of cargo in full containers were mostly classified. Imports of full containers were mostly unknown.
Table 13: Container types used for exports and imports
20ft dry
Full container,
unknown cargo
Animal: meat
Animal: dairy
Animal: fish
Animal: other
Foodstuffs
Chemicals
Hides, skins, leather
and furs
Mineral products
Machinery/electrical
Miscellaneous
Metals
Plastics/rubbers
Stone and glass
Transportation
Paper products
Vegetable products
Wood products
Textiles, clothes and
footwear
Food unclassified
Exports
20ft
reefer
40ft dry
40ft
reefer
20ft dry
Imports
20ft
reefer
40ft dry
40ft
reefer
33,567
2,639
37,007
10,524
220,110
7,373
156,833
10,869
7,764
53,556
649
622
16,185
5,732
35,885
23,762
8,646
204
2,078
273
41
6,0897
7
632
4,510
2,086
17,787
9,186
4,439
875
1,754
120
54
115
113
19
883
13,863
505
150
203
7
614
763
.
254
9
50
78
8,387
536
85
390
2
672
4,188
5,618
.
198
.
28
.
1
.
2,314
1,530
1,177
17,172
656
1,131
528
22,310
4,538
2,423
.
1
.
.
.
.
2
.
1858
.
6
2,234
576
3,042
2,495
222
900
24,030
2,811
54,612
.
.
1
1
.
.
.
1
26,519
.
65
239
925
611
121
188
35
203
3,991
81
.
10
5
1
6
.
89
2
179
.
4
408
1,476
256
181
562
225
2,384
137
567
.
7
4
1
9
325
311
.
785
.
6,929
1
1,128
.
261
50
174
29
11,585
3,367
2,295
3,737
1,893
5,616
597
9,544
195,986
78,716
199,729
74,944
243,798
15,573
172,583
27,757
66,249
1,272
27,256
1,807
21,737
61,899
539,34
47,210
262,235
79,989
226,985
76,751
265,535
77,472
226,517
74,967
74.7
98.4
88.0
97.6
91.8
20.1
76.2
37.0
Total full containers
Total empty containers
Total containers
% full
824,048
Full TEU
125,647
Empty TEU
All TEU
949,696
Note: Reefer containers may not necessarily be operating in refrigerator mode.
Page 29 of 45
660,051
285,924
945,975
14. Land transportation mode – road or rail
A larger proportion of land movements of containers into and out of ports are now by road (see “Container shipping
at a glance” on page 12 and the following graph on page 14).
Port Otago had portions of its gate-in and gate-out made by unknown land mode (indicated by ‘?’ in the graphs
below), meaning the road figures may be misleading.
Figure C17: Land mode into the port
60,000
13Q4
14Q1
50,000
14Q2
14Q3
40,000
14Q4
15Q1
30,000
15Q2
15Q3
20,000
10,000
0
Rail Road Rail Road Rail Road Rail Road Road Rail Road Rail Road
Auckland
Tauranga
Napier
Taranaki Nelson Lyttelton
?
Timaru
Rail Road Road
Otago
Southport
Figure C18: Land mode out of the port
80,000
13Q4
14Q1
70,000
14Q2
60,000
14Q3
14Q4
50,000
15Q1
40,000
15Q2
30,000
15Q3
20,000
10,000
0
Rail Road Rail Road Rail Road Rail Road Road Rail Road Rail Road
Auckland
Tauranga
Napier
Taranaki Nelson Lyttelton
Timaru
?
Rail Road Road
Otago
Southport
Note: These figures do not include CentrePort, who asked that their land transportation mode figures not be made
public.
Page 30 of 45
15. Coastal movements of containers on domestic ships
Containers are carried on both international and domestic ships. The vessels regarded as domestic for FIGS
purposes are the Spirit of Endurance, the Spirit of Independence, and the Spirit of Resolution and the Spirit of
Canterbury. At the date of this report, the current domestic ships are the Spirit of Endurance and the Spirit of
Canterbury.
Figures C19 and C20 shows the share of coastal movements on domestic ships. The share that Pacifica is carrying
increased following the replacement of one of their vessels with a ship with greater capacity.
Figure C19: Coastal loads
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
15Q3
International ship - domestic
International ship - export tranship
International ship - import tranship
NZ ship - domestic
NZ ship - export tranship
NZ ship - import tranship
Figure C20: Coastal loads
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
12Q1
12Q3
13Q1
13Q3
NZ ships
14Q1
14Q3
15Q1
International ships
The decrease in proportion of coastal loads carried on New Zealand ships in the first quarter of 2015 was due to
the MV Spirit of Independence being redelivered to its owner on 31 December 2014. The MV Ningpo carried
coastal cargo under a time charter with Swire (The China Navigation Company) from 28 January 2015 to 21 March
2015, due to Pacifica’s new vessel the Spirit of Canterbury being unavailable until after 19 March 2015.
Page 31 of 45
16. Hazardous containerised cargo
The shippers define whether cargo is ‘hazardous’. Examples of the types of cargo defined as hazardous include
chemicals, poisons, and gas cylinders.
Figure C21 shows hazardous TEU by shipment type. Most hazardous cargo is imports.
Figure C21: Hazardous TEU
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
12Q1
Import
12Q3
Export
13Q1
Domestic
13Q3
14Q1
Re-export
Page 32 of 45
14Q3
Export tranship
15Q1
15Q3
Import tranship
Section D – Container Handling Statistics
The following graphs show the relative container handling productivity of New Zealand’s six largest container ports:
Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Otago. Information is provided from 2009.
Data for Australia is provided until the end of December 2014, and is obtained from the Australian Bureau of
4
Infrastructure and Transport’s May 2015 report ‘Waterline 56’.
Figure D1 shows the total number of containers moved by each of the ports since 2009. There are slight
differences between the total container movements reported in the FIGS and container handling statistics data.
This difference is due to the inclusion of ‘restows’ in the container handling data that are not included in FIGS. This
is appropriate, as restows add to port activity, but not freight movement. Across the six ports, the difference in
container volumes is 1.3 percent, with the container handling statistics volumes being higher by 5,721 containers in
the quarter ending September 2015.
Figure D1: Containers
180,000
160,000
Auckland
140,000
120,000
Tauranga
100,000
Napier
80,000
Wellington
60,000
40,000
Lyttelton
20,000
Otago
-
4
The Waterline 56 report is available through the Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and at
http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2015/files/water_056.pdf
Page 33 of 45
The ship rate is the rate at which a ship is unloaded – how many containers are moved on or off a ship in an hour.
The weighted average ship rate increased from 76.7 in the quarter ending September 2015, to 77.1 containers per
hour in the quarter ending September 2015. Data is available for Australia up to December 2014, at which time
New Zealand’s weighted average ship rate of 72.6 containers per hour exceeded the average Australia’s top five
5
ports by 22.7 containers per hour.
The ship rate at Napier, increased to 60.5 containers per hour in the quarter ending September 2015, from Napier’s
previous low of 54.4 in the quarter ending June 2015.
Figure D2: Ship rate
100
90
Auckland
Containers per hour
80
Tauranga
70
Napier
60
Wellington
50
Lyttelton
40
30
Otago
20
NZ Weighted
average
Australia's top five
average
6
The crane rate is the number of containers a dockside crane lifts on or off a container ship in an hour. The average
crane rate was almost unchanged at 34.3 containers per hour in the quarter ending September 2015. In the quarter
ending December 2014, the New Zealand crane rate exceeded the average Australia’s top five ports by 3.3
containers per hour.
Figure D3: Crane rate
40
Auckland
Containers per hour
35
Tauranga
30
Napier
25
Wellington
20
Lyttelton
15
Otago
10
NZ Weighted
average
Australia's top
five average
5
The Australian ports identified here are Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Freemantle. Collectively, these five ports move
90 percent of Australia’s container traffic.
6
Napier is the only port to use a mobile crane, with the other five using gantry cranes. Napier is not directly comparable with the other
New Zealand ports.
Page 34 of 45
The vessel rate is the number of containers loaded and unloaded from a ship divided by the amount of labour time.
The New Zealand weighted average for the quarter ending September 2015 was 64.0 containers per labour hour,
an increase from 61.5 in the quarter ending June 2015. The December weighted average vessel rate of 60.8
exceeded Australia’s top five average of 44.
The vessel rate at Wellington increased to 44.8 containers per hour in the quarter ending September 2015, from a
previous low of 39.1 containers per hour in the quarter ending June 2015.
Figure D4: Vessel rate
90
Containers per hour
80
Auckland
70
Tauranga
60
Napier
50
Wellington
40
30
Lyttelton
20
Otago
10
NZ Weighted
average
0
Australia's top
five average
Page 35 of 45
Section E – Rail and Road Data
17. Rail movements and volumes
Figure E1 shows total rail movements by region for the year to September 2015. This way of displaying data results
in some instances of ‘overlaps’, as a movement from the West Coast to Canterbury is counted as both a
movement from the West Coast and a movement to Canterbury.
The largest group of movements were within the Bay of Plenty region, followed by movements into Canterbury.
Total rail tonnes for the year ending September 2015 fell slightly from the year ending June 2015.
Figure E1: Rail movements - tonnes Oct 2014-Sep 2015
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
Internal
1,500,000
To other regions
1,000,000
From other regions
500,000
0
Figure E2 shows movements by rail tonne-kms for the year to September 2015. Movements into Canterbury
continue to be the largest amount of tonne-kms, followed by movements out of Auckland.
Tonne-kms are tonnes carried multiplied by the kilometres moved, i.e. three tonnes of freight moved two kilometres
is six tonne-km.
Figure E2: Rail movements - tonne kms Oct 2014-Sep 2015
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
Internal
800,000
To other regions
600,000
From other regions
400,000
200,000
0
Page 36 of 45
The following graphs provide a breakdown of rail tonnes and rail tonne-kms by commodity type for the year to
September 2015. The largest commodity type was wood, pulp, and paper, which was 26.7 percent of rail tonnes,
followed by dairy and milk, with 20.2 percent.
20,000
Figure E3: Rail tonnes (000)
Rolling 12 months
18,000
16,000
Other
14,000
Food/fish/meat
12,000
Metals
10,000
Unspecified
8,000
Wood/pulp/paper
6,000
Dairy+milk
4,000
Freight Forwarding
2,000
Coal
0
12Q4 13Q1 13Q2 13Q3 13Q4 14Q1 14Q2 14Q3 14Q4 15Q1 15Q2 15Q3
Total net rail tonne km dropped by 1.6% in the year ending September 2015, against the year ending June 2015.
Continuing the downward trend from the year ending March 2014, there was a 7.3 percent decrease in the rail
tonne-kms for coal in the year ending September 2015, from the rail tonne-kms for the year ending June 2015.
5,000
Figure E4: Rail tonne km (millions)
Rolling 12 months
4,500
4,000
3,500
Other
3,000
Food/fish/meat
2,500
Metals
2,000
Unspecified
Wood/pulp/paper
1,500
Dairy+milk
1,000
Freight Forwarding
500
Coal
0
12Q4 13Q1 13Q2 13Q3 13Q4 14Q1 14Q2 14Q3 14Q4 15Q1 15Q2 15Q3
Figure E3 and Figure E4 show that rail volumes and tonne-kms have been falling since late 2012.
Page 37 of 45
The average rail haul for the year to September 2015 was relatively unchanged at 266 km. The largest average
haul was metals at 568 km, and the smallest was wood, pulp and paper at 144 km.
Figure E5: Average haul length (km)
Rolling 12 months
700
Other
600
Food/fish/meat
500
Metals
400
Unspecified
300
Wood pulp paper
Dairy+milk
200
Freight Forwarding
100
Coal
0
12Q4
13Q2
13Q4
14Q2
See data tables for more rail freight information.
Page 38 of 45
14Q4
15Q2
18. Road freight – the role of High Productivity Motor Vehicles
From 1 May 2010, high productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs) were allowed to operate on New Zealand roads.
Previously the maximum mass limit for a vehicle combination carrying a divisible load without a permit was 44
tonnes and length of around 20 meters. HPMVs are able to carry as much as 62 tonnes and can be longer than
standard trucks.
The heavier and some longer HPMVs operate under permit on specific routes, which ensure the vehicle
dimensions and overall mass are appropriate to the route and any bridges or other structures, which are load
limited. If these vehicles operate on other parts of the network then they are limited to the standard mass and axle
weight limits again. Most of the longer HPMVs can operate across the network, but some longer HPMVs are only
allowed to operate on specified routes.
In October 2013 the 50MAX class of HPMV was introduced. This vehicle combination has one more axle than
conventional 44 tonne vehicles combinations and a longer wheelbase, allowing it to operate at up to 50 tonnes
without causing additional road damage. These vehicles can access much of the road network, except for parts of
the network where the bridges are not suitable. The intention is to open the entire State Highway network to this
7
class of vehicle, when upgrades to the limited number of bridges needing them are complete .
The growth in HPMV travel picked up in 2014 following the introduction of 50MAX.
Figure E6: HPMV travel (millions km)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
Over Dimension
Over Mass
15Q1
15Q3
Over Dimension & Mass (*)
(*) includes 50Max
Figure E7: HPMV share of truck travel
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
% of heavy truck travel
15Q1
15Q3
% of all truck travel
If HPMVs did not exist then ordinary 44 tonne combinations would have to do extra travel to carry the HPMV
payloads. Figure E8 below shows the extra heavy truck travel that would have resulted based on cargo mass. In
7
The restrictions can be seen at
http://nzta.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/basicviewer/index.html?appid=d99aa844003544bfba568779b73562ae
Page 39 of 45
reality, the extra travel would be greater than this as there will be cargo that is long enough to require two trips on
the smaller combination but only one on an HPMV.
Figure E8: Extra heavy truck travel if no HPMV
5%
5%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
0%
13Q3
14Q1
14Q3
Page 40 of 45
15Q1
15Q3
19. FIGS cargo movements – explanatory note
The characterisation of cargo movements in FIGS is designed to split shipping movements into international and
coastal. For instance, the term "export” is confined to international movements in FIGS, and “transhipment” is
confined to coastal movements.
Table 1: Definition of International Movements
International movements
Import
Export
Re-export
The container arrives at a
New Zealand port by ship,
directly from overseas.
The container is loaded onto a
ship in a New Zealand port and is
shipped overseas directly.
Example: Singapore to a
New Zealand port.
Example: A New Zealand port to
China.
The container arrives in New
Zealand from overseas, is
loaded onto a different ship
without leaving the port and
without the cargo changing,
and is then exported.
Example: United States of
America to a New Zealand port
then on to Fiji.
Re-exports were first redefined
from being full containers only
to both full and empty in the
September 2014 report.
Table 2: Definition of Coastal Movements
Coastal movements
Export transhipment
Import transhipment
The container is loaded at a
New Zealand port, is shipped
to a second New Zealand
port, discharged, and is then
loaded for export without
leaving the second port, and
without the cargo changing.
The cargo arrives from overseas
at a New Zealand port, is
discharged and then loaded onto
another ship without leaving the
port or the cargo changing, and is
then shipped to a second New
Zealand port, is discharged and
gated-out.
Example: New Zealand Port
1 to New Zealand Port 2 to
Singapore.
The New Zealand Port 2 to
Singapore international
movement is an export.
In FIGS, the New Zealand
Port 1 to Port 2 coastal
movement is an export
transhipment.
Example: Shanghai to New
Zealand Port 1 then to New
Zealand Port 2.
Domestic shipment
Movements of containers from
one New Zealand port to
another New Zealand port,
which are not import or export
transhipments.
Example: Gate-in New
Zealand Port 1 for loading,
then ship to New Zealand Port
2 for discharge and gate-out.
In FIGS, the Shanghai to New
Zealand Port 1 international
movement is an import.
The New Zealand Port 1 to New
Zealand Port 2 coastal movement
is an import transhipment.
Export transhipments of full containers are identified in FIGS using the booking reference, and export
transhipments of empty containers are identified by following the sequence of container movements. This approach
is being used because although the container load and discharge messages can include a transhipment value, not
all ports code it.
Page 41 of 45
This report only includes containers moved through the container facilities at the ten container ports. For instance,
it excludes container movements by the Cook Strait operators, loads in Onehunga, container loads and discharges
at the Mount Maunganui wharf and the wharves outside the container port operation in Lyttelton.
Page 42 of 45
International and Coastal movement diagrams
FIGS International movements are shown in blue
FIGS Coastal movements are shown in orange
Overseas
Import
A. Import and import transhipment
NZ Port A
Discharge
Load onto a different vessel
Import transhipment
NZ Port B
Discharge
Gate-out
Overseas
Import
B. Import and domestic shipment
NZ Port A
Discharge
Gate-out
Gate-in
Load
Domestic
Domestic shipment
NZ Port B
Discharge
Gate-out
NZ Port A
Gate in
Load
C. Export transhipment and export
Export transhipment
NZ Port B
Discharge
Load onto a different vessel
Export
Overseas
Page 43 of 45
20. Glossary
Coastal movements
A container that is loaded in one New Zealand port and moved to another New Zealand
port where the container is discharged. (See page 39 for the three types of coastal
movements)
Discharge
Unloading a container from a ship.
Domestic ship
DWT
A ship registered in New Zealand. All New Zealand registered ships must comply with
New Zealand labour, safety and maritime laws. For FIGS purposes, domestic ships are:
the Spirit of Endurance, the Spirit of Independence, and the Spirit of Canterbury.
Deadweight tonnage – a measure of how much weight a ship can safely carry.
FIGS
Freight Information Gathering System.
Freight forwarding
The movement of freight by an organisation whose core business is the organisation of
freight movements for other businesses or individuals.
Gate in
The entry of a container to a port by road or rail. One exception is containers that are
packed within the port.
Gate out
The exit of a container from a port by road or rail.
International ship
All ships not registered in New Zealand. They must comply with international maritime
law, but not New Zealand domestic law.
Load
Loading a container onto a ship.
Net tonnes
Net container weight is the weight of the cargo. It is the gross weight recorded in the
port message, less the typical weight for that type of container (20-foot dry, 20-foot
reefer, 40-foot dry, or 40-foot reefer).
Rail tonne-km
Tonnes carried multiplied by kilometres moved, i.e. three tonnes of freight moved two
kilometres is six tonne-km.
Reefer
A ‘reefer’ is a container that can be refrigerated.
TEU
Twenty-foot equivalent unit. A 20-foot container is one TEU, and a 40-foot container is
two TEU.
Page 44 of 45
Appendix A – Quarterly Trade Commodity Codes
Cargo is classified using the Harmonised System (HS); see www.foreign-trade.com/reference/hscode.htm for more
detail.
The HS codes have been grouped as follows for FIGS reporting:
FIGS category
Harmonised code(s)
Meat
Fish
Dairy
Animal: other
Vegetables and fruit
Foodstuffs
Minerals, coal, fuel
Chemicals/plastics/rubbers
Hides, skins, leather
Wood products
Paper products
Textiles/footwear/headwear
Stone/glass
Metals
Machinery/electrical
Vehicles (road, rail, air, sea)
Other (*)
Confidential
2
3
4
1,5
6-15
16-24
25-27
28-40
41-43
44-46
47-49
50-67
68-71
72-83
84-85
86-89
90-97
Coded as 98 by Statistics New Zealand
(*) includes optical fibres, photographic, clocks, watches, musical instruments, arms and ammunition, furniture and
furnishings, lighting fixtures, toys, games, sports equipment, art and antiques
Page 45 of 45