International shipping company Maersk is setting up a large coldstore in the Waikato to better service exports and imports of dairy, meat and fruits into the North Island.
Maersk is setting up a large coldstore in the Waikato to better service exports and imports of dairy, meat and fruits into the North Island. Photo: Supplied / Maersk
Construction of the 45,000 square metre cold store in the Ruakura superhub on the outskirts of Hamilton will begin late next year.
Once complete it will have more than 16,000 square metres of fully convertible temperature-controlled space with temperatures ranging from -25C to 15C and will be able to store over 21,000 pallets of cold chain products
Maersk Oceania managing director Henrik Jensen said the site is next to State Highway 1 and the Ruakura Inland Port providing a seamless link to the Ports of Tauranga and Auckland.
"From dairy and meat to seafood and fruits, the primary industry sector is key to drive the development of New Zealand's economy.
"This cold storage facility will cater for both national and international supply chains, and in conjunction with our extensive New Zealand ocean network connecting the world."
We firmly believe it will enable us to be flexible and agile in our operations to ensure that we can match customers' needs with seasonal demand, Jensen said.
Maersk has entered an agreement with Tainui Group Holdings for a long-term ground lease to build the facility.
Its chief executive Chris Joblin said Maersk's decision to locate its new cold storage facility at Ruakura is a very significant addition to the New Zealand supply chain.
"For more than half of all New Zealanders who live in the 'golden triangle' of Waikato, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty, it also boosts the resilience of how critical food supplies are moved around the country and around the globe."