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Maersk completes largest infrastructure investment in New Zealand with new cold chain facility

A.P. Moller-Maersk marked the inauguration of its cutting-edge integrated cold chain facility at the Ruakura Superhub, reaffirming Hamilton’s pivotal role as a central hub for freight and logistics in New Zealand’s Golden Triangle.

With an investment of around US$90 million, this facility represents Maersk’s largest infrastructure investment in the country.

The newly opened facility extends the reach of ocean transport inland, providing customers with comprehensive end-to-end supply chain management, including import, export, and cross-docking services.

By facilitating seamless interchange between transportation modes such as rail and truck, the facility establishes a highly adaptable and efficient supply chain network serving the Waikato region and beyond.

Furthermore, situated at the core of the Golden Triangle, between Auckland and Tauranga, Hamilton handles 65% of New Zealand’s total freight volume, making it a critical strategic corridor. Maersk’s state-of-the-art cold chain facility is poised to further elevate the region’s robust economic and freight infrastructure.

“New Zealand has long played a vital role in the global supply chain from dairy, meat to seafood and fruits, the primary industry sector to drive the development of the country’s economy. We have over the years made very significant investments in our ocean network and offer today a best-in-class experience from a capacity, coverage, and reliability perspective. We have operated in New Zealand for 27 years – and we are enthusiastic about fostering sustained growth and forging these long-term partnerships with our customers,” stated Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk.

The newly established facility will capitalize on its advanced landside logistic capabilities to facilitate increased volumes of imported and exported goods across New Zealand and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

It is set to serve as a crucial resource for Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest dairy company, supporting their operations in the North Island. Maersk eagerly anticipates welcoming other notable clients to the facility, including BluePrint Global/NZ Grass-Fed Butter, Mega Foods, and Service Foods.

Spanning 18,000 square meters, this multi-modal facility benefits from its strategic location with dual-carriage access to State Highway 1 and direct rail links to the Port of Tauranga and the Port of Auckland. It boasts the capacity to load 40ft containers, each carrying up to 29 tonnes of product, onto train carriages efficiently.

Equipped with cold rooms and blast freezers, the cold chain facility can accommodate nearly 30,000 pallets of products, maintaining their quality throughout transit. The blast freezers operate swiftly, meeting international food standards by freezing produce within 24 hours, preserving freshness upon arrival. Its diverse range of storage rooms enables the storage of various products at different temperatures, catering to diverse customer requirements.

In collaboration with the local iwi (tribe) Waikato-Tainui, Maersk has formed a partnership, recognizing their ownership of the land housing the Ruakura Superhub. This partnership extends beyond business interests, with Maersk making significant social investments in the region, including job creation and providing logistics and supply-chain training opportunities to upskill members of the community.

“Partnering with a global logistics giant like Maersk, who could see the massive benefits and efficiencies Ruakura Superhub offered, epitomises the vision we have for the Superhub as a critical supply chain enabler and driver of regional economic development. We’re proud to partner with Maersk to support their growth and ongoing contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand which will, in turn, support us to drive the economic resilience of our 86,000-strong iwi,” commented Tuku Morgan, Chairman of Te Arataura, the executive committee of Waikato-Tainui.

Additionally, Maersk has collaborated with Apollo Projects, a leading commercial construction company, in the design and construction of the facility, along with supply chain consultant TMX Transform for property advisory and project management.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Maersk has ensured that the facility attains the highest possible sustainability rating for a cold store. Initially aiming for a minimum Greenstar-5 rating, Maersk aims to further elevate this to 6 stars, surpassing any other cold store in New Zealand.

The facility’s innovative design has enabled Maersk to minimize its environmental impact through various measures, including the installation of solar panels on all rooftops, utilizing CO2 instead of ammonia in freezers, implementing rainwater collection and reuse systems, and providing electric vehicle charging stations for cars and trucks.





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