South Port Opens New Bluff Dairy Freight Centre

Bluff's South Port has opened a new freight centre, adding 4000 square metres of warehousing capacity for dairy exports.

The company purchased the former Southland Coolstores site and redeveloped it into the Bluff Freight Centre. Chief executive Derek Nind said the upgrade had gone well. "The team's done a very good job of upgrading the facilities and getting them into a dairy standard store," Nind said.

Total cargo volumes increased by 11.5 percent to record levels in the year to June, with net profit up 21 percent to $16.1 million. South Port said the cargo lift to a record 3.96 million tonnes translated into a substantial lift in profit.

Bulk cargo makes up the largest share of that volume. "Predominantly we are a bulk port, so 3.3 million of our tonnes is bulk cargo and that's supported by the New Zealand aluminium smelter, which is about 24 percent of our key volumes across the port," Nind said.

Forestry dominates primary sector exports, with fertiliser and stock feed bringing in significant import business. "We've got a great mix of forestry, farm inputs, fertiliser, stock food, and containers which create most of our volume," Nind said.

Container throughput reached an all-time high of 62,000 TEU. "With container throughput reaching an all-time high of 62,000 TEU, this level of growth will require additional staffing, and we are looking to fill around 21 additional roles in the next 12 to 18 months," Nind said. Around 20 new jobs are anticipated, boosting the 140-strong workforce.

South Port is also looking to benefit from emerging industries in the region, including Ngāi Tahu's Hananui 1285ha marine farm, which has received fast-track consent. The Datagrid data centre near Makarewa, 7 kilometres north of Invercargill, and wind farm construction in the region may also boost business.

Mercury's Puke Kapo Hau wind farm will begin construction of its 40 turbines next month and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028.