Holcim plans new port terminals in New Zealand

According to local reports, Holcim New Zealand is set to invest US$100 million in two new 30 000 t port terminals for the import of bulk cement in Timaru and Waitemata, Auckland. As part of the investment, the company is also undertaking a US$5 million silo capacity project at Lyttelton, which is nearing completion.

The terminals, located strategically on both the North Island and South Island, will begin construction in 2014 and be operational within 2 – 3 years. The new terminals will allow Holcim to import and distribute cement in the country more effectively. The port at Auckland will allow Holcim to supply cement directly to one of the country’s most prominent markets and the terminal located in Timaru will provide access to the markets of both Christchurch and the South Island as a whole. Furthermore, the Timaru import terminal will compliment plans to eventually build a new cement facility in Weston, Oamaru, although this remains unconfirmed.

The port terminals represent a move by the company from manufacturing cement to importing it. Reportedly, Holcim’s Westport cement plant will close once the import terminals are fully operational.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/16122013/holcim_plans_new_port_terminals_in_new_zealand_516/