Port strike: Undermine business certainty, undermine Auckland

Ports of Auckland could lose business if the port strikes continue for much longer, warns Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.

“The on-going strike action is taking away the certainty of the service businesses expect from the country’s main port, and doing so at the worst possible time.

“Small and medium businesses in particular are either exporting to fill vital Christmas orders or about to receive imports for distribution for the Christmas-New Year retail trades.”

This is a key time for Auckland business, notes Mr Barnett.

“The Christmas lead up is traditionally a time when the local retail demand can be expected to kick in to help boost turnover for many businesses. With so much at stake, importers and exporters will look at the option of using Tauranga Port and the improved rail and road freight options now on offer.”

Both the Port company and the maritime union should be doing everything they can to provide certainty of service. “The port is Auckland’s economic lifeline; undermining the certainty of the port is the same as undermining the Auckland economy.”