The shipping platform

Location: Tauranga is located in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island's E coast. General overview: Tauranga is the principal export port of New Zealand and is also the only natural deep water port between Auckland and Wellington providing safe berthage in all weathers. Imports: Cement, chemicals, fertiliser bases, grain, petroleum products, salt, steel vehicles and general cargo. Exports: Butter, cement, cheese, kiwi fruit, livestock, logs, milk powder, steel, timber, woodchip, woodpulp and general cargo. In addition the port now handles motor vehicles, steel, onions, squash, sugar and meat. Traffic figures: Approx 1,244 vessels, 12,241,000t of cargo and 423,000TEU handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: Max LOA 290m, no beam restriction. Max arrival and departure draught 13.0m HW and 11.7m LW. Largest vessel handled: "P&O NL Encounter" container vessel, LOA 281m.