Holcim New Zealand holds ground-breaking ceremony for new terminal

Holcim New Zealand has carried out the official ground-breaking for its new $50 million cement import terminal in Timaru. The old silos have already been demolished and the site is clear for construction to begin, with approvals already in place.

Holcim New Zealand’s Managing Director Jeremy Smith says the investment can be taken as a sign of the company’s confidence in the strength of the market, particularly in rebuilding following the Christchurch earthquake.

“The Port of Timaru terminal provides effective access to the major market of Christchurch, utilising the new $5 million silo capacity completed in January 2014 at the Lyttleton Port of Christchurch. This terminal also provides effective distribution to the whole of the South Island market and the lower North Island as well.,” he said. “The terminals will be a demonstration of the best in global fit-for-purpose design and port environments.”

The construction phase will now begin in earnest and the site should be fully operational by the first quarter of 2016.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by the Member of Parliament for Rangitata, Hon Jo Goodhew, who planted a tree to celebrate the occasion as a symbol of the care and value Holcim places on environments in which it operates. The company also launched a local scholarship programme as a way of thanking the community and demonstrating its investment is for the long-term.

Imports in, production out

Holcim New Zealand had previously announced plans to move out of manufacturing in New Zealand, changing instead to a strategy of importing and distributing bulk cement. In addition to the investment in Timaru, the company is also building a 30 000 t import terminal in Auckland, which is planned to commence construction in December 2014.

The new cement import terminal in Timaru will consist of two birthing facilities: one for 35 000 t (handy-sized) vessels and one for smaller coastal distribution vessels. The site will also include a shore-based ship unloading facility, a 30 000 t capacity cement storage dome, ship-loading for domestic distribution, a load-out facility for bulk cement trucks and ancillary building facilities. In the future, cement may also be distributed by rail. Initially, domestic shipments (via coastal vessel) are expected to be 1 – 2 shipments per week.

Adapted from press release by Katherine Guenioui 

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/15102014/holcim-new-zealand-holds-ground-breaking-ceremony-for-new-terminal-666/