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Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Callum Francis Callum Francis Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: May 2024 ANZSIC I5212NZ

Revenue

$1.6bn

2024-25

$1.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

3,451

Businesses

76

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand industry analysis

The Port and Water Transport Terminals industry is vital to New Zealand's international trading activity. As the country is not linked to any of its trading partners by land, ports provide an essential link between New Zealand and key overseas markets, like Australia and China. A series of challenges and opportunities have marked the recent performance of the industry. Declining international trade volumes and a drop in the trade-weighted index have led to an expected annualised revenue drop of 3.6% over the five years through the end of 2024-25.

Trends and Insights

  • Falling trade volumes are expected to contribute to a revenue contraction in the industry. Despite declining revenue, the industry has seen a surge in employment growth, contributed to by extensive port expansion efforts and the post-pandemic recovery of water tourism.
  • Revenue share from wharfage fees has risen due to higher prices despite trade volumes declining. The return of international travel and passenger transport since the end of the pandemic has boosted revenue share from cruise ship services.
  • The Port of Tauranga, due to its extensive capacity and strategic location, is a key maritime hub, handling a significant proportion of New Zealand's sea freight. Most of this freight goes to the major market of Auckland.
  • The crucial function of New Zealand's ports restricts buyer power. However, undifferentiable port services allow buyers to switch providers if prices rise or service falters, restoring some balance to the power dynamic.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Declining international trade volumes have threatened industry revenue

  • The Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand is expected to encounter a drop in revenue over the five-year period through the end of 2024-25, primarily due to its dependency on sea-borne trade volumes.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Industry set to benefit from growing international trade volumes following European free-trade agreement

  • The future outlook for the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand is promising owing to anticipated growth in international trade volumes.

Biggest companies in the Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue ($m)
2025
Port of Tauranga
362.3
Auckland Council
334.4
Christchurch City Council
191.1

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Wharfage , Berthage and other marine services and Demurrage and storage . Wharfage is the largest segment of the Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand.

Trends and Insights

Rising fees have lifted wharfage revenue share

  • Wharfage includes accommodation provided at a wharf for loading and unloading cargo.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The industry operates both bulk and containerised cargo ports. Industry firms also manage the water terminals that load and unload cargo. Revenue received from water passenger terminals is also included in the industry. The provision of stevedoring services is excluded from the industry.

What's included in this industry?

WharfageBerthage and other marine servicesDemurrage and storageCruise vessel servicesAdministrative servicesEquipment and labour hireSecurity servicesGarbage disposal, water and electricity supply

Companies

Port of TaurangaAuckland CouncilChristchurch City Council

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CONTAINERISEDSTEVEDORINGWHARF

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 5212 - Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Falling trade volumes are expected to contribute to a revenue contraction in the industry. Despite declining revenue, the industry has seen a surge in employment growth, cont...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Revenue share from wharfage fees has risen due to higher prices despite trade volumes declining. The return of international travel and passenger transport since the end of t...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Port of Tauranga, due to its extensive capacity and strategic location, is a key maritime hub, handling a significant proportion of New Zealand's sea freight. Most of thi...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The crucial function of New Zealand's ports restricts buyer power. However, undifferentiable port services allow buyers to switch providers if prices rise or service falters,...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Several of the industry’s largest ports have invested in growing their capacity in recent years. While trade volumes have declined since peaking during the pandemic, the high...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Port of Tauranga's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Auckland Council's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Christchurch City Council's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Port of Tauranga, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Auckland Council, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Christchurch City Council, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The industry benefits from the federal government engaging in Free Trade Agreements with major trading partners. The implementation of a Free Trade Agreement with the Europea...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Port and terminal operators witnessed a temporary rise in profitability due to increased demand for shipping services between 2019-2022. Long-term profitability has been nega...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand in 2024?

The market size of the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand is $1.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand industry in 2024?

There are 76 businesses in the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand has been declining at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Port and Water Transport Terminals market in New Zealand?

The biggest companies operating in the Port and Water Transport Terminals market in New Zealand are Port of Tauranga, Auckland Council and Christchurch City Council

What does the Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand include?

Wharfage and Berthage and other marine services are part of the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand?

The company holding the most market share in New Zealand is Port of Tauranga.

How competitive is the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Port and Water Transport Terminals industry in New Zealand.

Related Industries

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Competitors

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View all industries in New Zealand

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in New Zealand include:

  • Statistics New Zealand
  • New Zealand Company Register
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.