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The deep water export port at Shakespeare Bay, Port Picton, was opened
in April 2000. The development of Shakespeare Bay reflects the growth in forestry cargo
coming available within the region and the need for storage and shipping facilities.
The 200 metre wharf has a depth alongside of 15.3 metres at low tide,
the deepest export berth in New Zealand. The quayside storage of 10 hectares of flat, open
land adjacent to the berth can be accessed by road, rail and cargo shipping.
At present only logs are exported from Picton, with all sawn timber
exports going through Port Nelson, approximately 1.5 hours by road from Blenheim. Sawn
timber exports and possibly chip export facilities are likely to be developed in Picton in
the near future.
In 2006, 73% of log exports went to Korea, 27% to India.
A log export business, Zindia Ltd, has been developed by local forest
owners Rick Osborne and Jacob Mannothra. The company specialises in India log exports to
India. It has created a valuable outlet for larger industrial grade logs, and is enjoying
strong market growth.
| Log Exports from Port Picton ( December year) |
|
Volume m3 |
Value (NZ$000) |
2006 |
374,383 |
36,983 |
2005 |
356,300 |
31,722 |
2004 |
388,796 |
32,913 |
2003 |
303,711 |
26,013 |
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
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