Half Year 2026 Trade Volumes
10/04/2026 16:04 NZST, MKTUPDTE
Napier Port (NZX.NPH) today releases trade volume data for the half year ended 31 March 2026. Compared to the same period a year ago, total container volumes increased 3.5%, total bulk cargo volumes decreased 1.5%, and cruise vessel calls decreased from 77 to 54.
Chief Executive Todd Dawson said, “During the first half of the year, we have seen a consolidation in total cargo volumes following the strong volume growth experienced in our 2025 financial year. Another good growing season, supported by favourable conditions, has driven continued growth in refrigerated container cargo volumes, offsetting a small reduction in bulk cargo volumes within our overall cargo mix.
“Cruise calls have declined following a reduction in cruise tourism across Australia and New Zealand. However, vessels visiting Napier during the current season were larger on average, with a corresponding 15% increase in passengers per vessel.
“We will provide a further update when we release our financial results for the half year on 20 May 2026” Mr Dawson said.
Container Services
Total container volumes for the second quarter of the 2026 financial year increased 4.8% to 71k TEU from 68k TEU in the same period a year ago. For the half year, total container volumes of 116k TEU increased 3.5% from 112k TEU in the prior period.
Full container volumes (i.e. excluding empties and other container movements) during the half year period increased 2.1%, and empty and other container movements increased 5.1%, compared to the same period a year ago.
Dry export cargo for the half year was flat on the same period a year ago. Increased timber and other dry exports were offset by lower wood pulp exports.
Reefer export cargo for the half year increased 9.2% to 21k TEU. Fresh and other chilled produce including squash and onions increased 21.7% and export apple volumes increased 12.6%, whereas meat exports decreased 4.5%.
Containerised imports increased by 12.9% to 57k TEU from 51k TEU in the half year. The increase was largely driven by empty container imports increasing 19.4% to 43k TEU, due to earlier container equipment repositioning to support exports.
Other container movements for the half year, including DLRs and transhipped containers, decreased to 9k TEU from 12k TEU.
Container vessels increased for the half year to 131 from 124 calls in the same period a year ago.
Bulk Cargo
Total bulk cargo volume, compared to the same periods a year ago, decreased 6.2% for the second quarter to 0.75 million tonnes, and 1.5% for the half year to 1.68 million tonnes.
Log export volumes decreased 86k tonnes, or 13.7%, for the second quarter and 73k tonnes, or 5.4% for the half year.
Other bulk exports increased 20k tonnes, or 39%, to 70k tonnes for the half year primarily due to higher coastal fertiliser movements.
Bulk import volumes increased 41k tonnes, or 31.1%, to 174k tonnes for the second quarter and increased by 27k tonnes, or 9%, to 332k tonnes for the half year. These higher volumes were primarily due to increased fertiliser imports.
Charter vessel calls increased to 122 from 121 in the same half year period a year ago.
Cruise Services
There were 54 cruise vessel calls during the half year period ended 31 March, with one further call occurring during April to complete the 2025-26 season. In the same half year period a year ago there were 77 cruise vessel calls.
ENDS
For more information:
Investors
Kristen Lie
Chief Financial Officer
DDI: +64 6 833 4405
E: kristenl@napierport.co.nz
Media
Fleur Murray
GM Corporate Affairs
DDI: +64 27 385 5961
E: fleurm@napierport.co.nz
About Napier Port
Napier Port is New Zealand’s fourth largest port by container volume. We are the gateway for Hawke’s Bay and lower North Island’s exports and operate a long-term regional infrastructure asset that supports the regional economy. Our strategic purpose is to collaborate with the people and organisations that have a stake in helping our region grow. View Napier Port’s investor centre: www.napierport.co.nz/investor-centre/