Major pulp and packing company Oji Fibre Solutions and the Port of Tauranga have confirmed their long-term relationship with the renewal of their Operating Agreement for a further 10 years.
Oji Fibre Solutions is New Zealand’s major manufacturer of market kraft pulps, container board and packaging products.
The company has committed to consolidating the majority of its import and export cargo volumes through Port of Tauranga for the next decade.
The parties said the agreement reflects the long and productive relationship between the two companies, dating back to the 1950s.
Murray Horne, general manager of Oji Fibre Solutions’ logistics arm Lodestar, said the renewed agreement would enable the continuation of operational synergies across the export supply chain for Oji and their associated forest products export customers.
“We continue to focus on facilitating an optimal supply chain solution for our pulp and paper mills based in the central North Island and Eastern Bay of Plenty,” said Horne.
“By utilizing the infrastructure at the port, and the rail and road links to our production facilities, we deliver the most logical solution for our business.”
Oji leases a purpose-built, 22,000 m2 warehouse at Port of Tauranga’s container terminal.
The shed was constructed by Port of Tauranga for Oji in 2017 to improve quality and allow for greater flexibility around product storage, handling and packing.
Oji is a significant contributor to the port’s processed forestry products business, with annual export volumes in the vicinity of 1 Million tonnes.
Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns said the renewed agreement strengthened a mutually beneficial strategic partnership and would assist both companies to continue building their businesses.
“Partnerships of this nature allow both parties to plan rationally for the long term,” he said.
“We value the faith that Oji continues to place in Port of Tauranga as its port for the future.”
