Ports of Auckland is planning a spending spree this year to cope with a boost in business and the city's rampant growth.
All non-essential spending was frozen at around $12 million two years ago because it wasn't getting the return on investment.
But Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson says spending's now back on the agenda, thanks to increasing container volumes and winning back more clients from its rival Port of Tauranga.
All up it plans to spend $35 million this year with the first $12 million on a powerful new tug boat to manoeuvre increasingly bigger ships, as well as on equipment to handle containers more efficiently.
Mr Gibson says it's a good investment and business has turned a corner so it's necessary to invest.
He says ships are getting larger, not only container ships but there is the expectation over the coming years that cruise ships will get a lot longer.
Mr Gibson says the port has restructured and is now able to invest with confidence and it's being funded out of cash flow and the company does not have to borrow money for it.
He says the port has become a lot more productive, due to changes in technology, the way it operational plans vessels, manages the yard and has 60 percent of its workforce working a flexible shift and roster system.
Mr Gibson says the port has improved its customer service and as a result of that volumes have returned.
He says the port had a 35 percent improvement in import volumes during November and December compared to the same period the previous year.
