April 2009 (pdf) - Port Nelson

Port Nelson Limited report. April 2009. Page 2
editorial
Uncertain Times
We head into another fruit season at a time of great uncertainty across many
businesses, including a large number of our customers, whether they be
exporters, importers or shipping lines.
From a drop off in consumer demand for a myriad of products, through to
plummeting sea freight rates, each of these parties are finding life tougher by
the day. That is being reflected already in many ports where cargo volumes
are falling. Countries such as China, Hong Kong and Singapore, which have
experienced ongoing volume growth for many years have now started seeing
a significant fall in figures for cargo handled, with little suggestion that pattern
is likely to change in the near future.
Closer to home a number of New Zealand ports are also starting to report a
drop in volumes. In Nelson we have not been impacted too much in that area
to date, but it is naive to expect this region will be exempt from the effect of
these global issues as the situation evolves.
From a Port Nelson Limited perspective it is clear that all of us within the
company have an obligation to look at our own areas of operation and see
what possible further efficiencies we can identify and where we can possibly
assist our customers during these difficult times.
Everything that we are seeing in the news indicates that this is not a ‘short
term’ issue that will be over in a matter of months and the ramifications of the
current financial recession may well be felt for a prolonged period of time.
During such difficult times it is important that importers, exporters and service
providers work together wherever possible to try and assist each other to
weather the storm and we look forward to playing our part in that process
where we can.
We are fortunate in this region
to be exporting products that
will still, even if to a lesser
extent, be in demand globally,
and to have loyal markets built
on many years of quality supply
and service.
Martin Byrne
Chief Executive
Port Nelson Limited
Port Nelson Limited • 10 Low Street, Port Nelson • PO Box 844, Nelson, New Zealand
Tel +64 3 548 2099 • Fax +64 3 546 9015 • www.portnelson.co.nz
RePort Nelson is a triennial publication produced for Port Nelson Limited by:
• Nelson Media Agency - www.nelsonmedia.co.nz • SeeReed Visual Communication - www.seereed.co.nz
Photography: Troy Dando, Roy Skucek and Jacquetta Bell
Investment in
Unimar Ltd
We announced in the New Year that we
have made a 25% investment in Unimar
Limited, a Nelson based marine service
company, that was formerly Nalder
and Biddle. The company has grown
considerably since its formation in 2004
and is establishing a strong presence in
the oil industry. It was the South Island
service provider for the Maari well head
float-off project earlier this year, which
saw the heavy transport vessel Blue Marlin
demobilised at Port Nelson before leaving
New Zealand.
This is a strategically important investment
that will help to establish Port Nelson
as an alternative service centre for the
offshore oil industry. It will assist with the
economic growth of the Nelson region,
improved utilisation of port infrastructure
and enhanced returns to our shareholders,
the two local councils.
Unimar owns the Calwell Slipway at Port
Nelson, Marine and Industrial Stainless and
Maritime Services.
The sort of vessel we want to see more of: the semisubmersible
Heavylift Falcon, that called here briefly in
December, en route to Admiralty Bay to pick up the oil
rig Ensco 056 for a trip to Asia