BREAKBULK

• Closest port to Florida’s largest and fastest growing market

• Over 500,000 SF of on-dock warehouse space and 6,000 linear feet of berth

• Florida’s largest steel port

• Expanding lumber, perishable, container, project cargo, and heavy-lift business

• New and expanded container services with Central America, Mexico and Asia bodies could better inform and align themselves with the actual demand for breakbulk port operations.

“China does well, as they are the main exporter for breakbulk and project cargo such as steel and equipment. They heavily invest not only in port infrastructure but also in specialized equipment such as cranes, trained personnel, ample cargo lay down and storage area, and road and rail access to the terminals. This is a model we would like to see replicated elsewhere around the world and we are lobbying hard for this at every level.”

That said, he noted that breakbulk and project cargo import markets often find themselves in a difficult position. “They tend to mainly invest in container ports and landside infrastructure –despite needing to import most of their breakbulk and manufactured goods. As a result, the infrastructure for the import of our cargo segment remains underdeveloped in many regions.”

However, he recognized that it can be difficult for governments to properly assess the demand for required infrastructure, as breakbulk project cargo imports are sensitive to highs and lows and depend on the progress of third-party domestic and inland projects, general infrastructure developments and so on.

Julie Wagener, spokesperson for New Zealand’s largest import port, Ports of Auckland, or PoAL, noted a “slight decrease” in breakbulk volumes over the past six months and expects those levels to “continue in the short term.”

However, having historically had extremely bitter clashes with unions, PoAL is heralding a breakthrough new agreement that will support breakbulk and other cargo trade. “The relationships with our unions have never been stronger at PoAL, particularly with our largest union, the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ),” Wagener said. “We have been partnering with MUNZ on a number of projects including a new salary arrangement and rostering schedule for stevedores, and a new Stevedoring Code of Practice.”

Port of Tauranga spokesperson Rochelle Lockley, whose port is both New Zealand’s largest overall and largest export port, said that her team was “not aware of any significant issues” regarding handling breakbulk cargo – “except for the big one: labor supply.”