Wellington, Sept 11 NZPA - Ports of Auckland is keen to get into the business of shipping logs in containers.

The port, which is wholly owned by the commercial arm of Auckland Regional Council, said it was expanding the services on offer at its Wiri inland port to include the packing of export logs into shipping containers from October 1.

"Exporting logs in containers is a growing trend, especially to Asia and India," said general manager marketing, sales and logistics, Craig Sain.

"There is a global shortage of ships handling bulk logs and using containers on container vessels is a viable and cost-effective alternative."

The port has leased specialist equipment to pack the logs.

Rival Port of Tauranga is the biggest handler of log exports as its hinterland includes the giant central North Island forests.

The shipping of logs in containers at Port of Tauranga has grown from nothing to about 5000 containers a month.

However, Port of Tauranga does not pack the containers itself. Competing stevedore companies offer services at the port.

An issue with the handling of logs is that they have to be fumigated.

When exports of logs in containers started there were concerns that containers would be damaged but these concerns have eased as the trade grew.

"There aren't any forests in Auckland," Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns said.

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