61% of New Zealand’s total harvest was exported as logs in 2018, highlighting the economic importance of ports to the New Zealand forestry sector. This proportion has doubled since 2008, and at the same time harvest has increased by 13 million m³ (MPI, 2019). As a result, log ports in New Zealand have been experiencing problems with port congestion and port capacity. Identifying the factors that influence capacity and congestion is the purpose of this dissertation, as a first step in solving the problem.

Port operations experts at New Zealand’s main log export ports were surveyed to identify factors that affect port capacity. The potential additional volume of future log exports was estimated for each port, using wood availability forecasts.

The survey identified that log storage area and vessel frequency were the two most important internal factors limiting port capacity, through their impact on log throughput at ports. The survey also identified that log price and forest harvest were the main external factors that affected log supply to ports. Finding solutions to the internal factors will overall increase the profitability of a port, while increasing the efficiency of port operations will increase the profitability of log exports.

The Port of Tauranga (PoT), which may experience an additional 1.85 million m³ through the port in the future, is estimated to already be at capacity by Pacific Forest Products (PFP). Discussion with PFP staff yielded three options to increase capacity at PoT:

1. moving vessels to another berth for lashing,
2. re-location of methyl bromide fumigation operations from loading berths, and
3. the use of mobile harbour cranes

Analysis indicated that Options 1 and 2 together would increase port capacity by just under 1 million m³. Option 3 is expected to be able to provide all the potential capacity required.