Multinational importers of food and consumables are bypassing Ports of Auckland for Tauranga as the industrial action continues at the Auckland port.
New Zealand Food and Grocery Council chief executive Katherine Rich said from Wellington yesterday the problems at Ports of Auckland had been simmering away for years and needed solving one way or another.
"When you have members bypassing Auckland, the largest market for imported food, it represents a sad reflection on the efficiency of the port. It is only a handful of members so far, but they are huge multinationals who generate a lot of traffic. It doesn't make sense," Mrs Rich said.
Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (Munz) have been locked in a bitter dispute for several months with no clear signs of resolution.
The dispute has seen both Maersk Line and Fonterra shift business away from Auckland.
Mrs Rich said that before Christmas, some of her members had been concerned about getting food supplies to the South Island during a notoriously difficult time for service.
Once Maersk shifted to Tauranga, the problem was alleviated somewhat.
The Christmas-New Year period was difficult for food suppliers as many New Zealanders used the supermarket more during the holidays and it was hard to keep shelves stocked.
Mrs Rich first wrote to Ports of Auckland in 2009 about the problems experienced by her members.
The food and grocery council had received numerous complaints about poor service levels. Nothing much had changed since, she said.
The main problem was the inflexible shifts which often left truck drivers sitting on the wharves for several hours while they waited to load.
"That doesn't seem much of a problem, until you are left sitting in the truck unable to do your deliveries.
"If you miss your loading slot, you can face an extra wait."
The problem had placed huge pressure on member companies and the issue was then reaching boiling point.
Yesterday, she reiterated her warning that the situation was deteriorating to the point that client relationships were being compromised and some long-term business through Ports of Auckland was at risk.
Munz president Gary Parsloe had been quoted as saying the decision by Fonterra had not been made suddenly and was considered for commercial reasons, which was exactly the case for Maersk and Fonterra, Mrs Rich said.
Her members wanted security of supply and the ability to get food goods, the bulk of which came from Australia, through to markets quickly.
Likewise, she wanted her exporting members to have the confidence to have their goods shipped out on time.
Shifting some services to Tauranga would create its own problems for the Port of Tauranga but would also lead to more trucks on the roads.
"This needs to be sorted out, one way or another," Mrs Rich said.
