NEW ZEALAND’S Auckland port is to go live with its consolidation of box operations at its Fergusson terminal from 6 July.

It first had to overcome workforce resistance and union court action. Under the changes, the proportion of containerised cargo handled at Fergusson will rise from the current 71% to about 96%, with operations at the smaller Bledisloe facility reduced to overflow status ahead of a gradual redevelopment for other uses.

Late last week, dockers voted to ratify an accord between Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union of New Zealand’s Local 13 branch, after very protracted talks – and some strikes – since the previous agreement expired on 30 November 2006.

Managing director Jens Madsen said the agreement would deliver a fair deal for staff, a settled internal operating environment and commercial stability for the company.

The terminal consolidation has been achieved with no compulsory redundancies despite the loss of 33 positions.