KiwiRail launches Container Connect – Southdown

KiwiRail Freight hosted its Shipping Connect event at Auckland Strand Station on 6 August, bringing together shipping line customers for an update on KiwiRail’s freight strategy, MetroPort operations and the launch of Container Connect – Southdown.

The event provided an opportunity to share KiwiRail Freight’s priorities around reliability, customer focus and partnership, while hearing directly from customers about their future plans, operational challenges and where rail can better support their supply chain needs.

KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy, Chief Customer and Growth Officer Adele Wilson, and National Manager Intermodal Craig Sain spoke with customers about the progress being made across MetroPort and opportunities to support more efficient container movements across the Auckland, Waikato and Tauranga freight corridor.

A key focus of the evening was the launch of Container Connect – Southdown, a new rail-connected empty container storage and repositioning service at Southdown Container Terminal.

The service allows nominated empty import containers to be returned to Southdown, stored for short-term use, and then moved by rail when required, including for reuse, regional repositioning, or loading onto vessels through Auckland or Tauranga.

Container Connect – Southdown is designed to give shipping lines more flexibility in how they manage empty equipment, while supporting more efficient container flows and better use of rail-connected freight infrastructure.

For more information on Container Connect – Southdown, contact Craig Sain, KiwiRail's National Manager Intermodal. Email craig.sain@kiwirail.co.nz