Terminal team delivers in a demanding peak season
Each peak season brings its own unique pressures, but this year has been particularly demanding for the Port’s Terminal Team, reaching 87% utilisation in the container yard.
Peak season at the Port runs from March until June with an increase in container volumes due to the apple and pip fruit season. A key challenge for the Terminal Team is navigating the management of inbound empty containers and balancing quantity and timing with shipping lines to ensure local exporters have a steady supply. “It’s always easier to manage a steady stream than to receive them all at once,” says Hayden Grainger, Terminal Manager.
Hayden says that while 87% utilisation might sound like there’s still room to spare, in container logistics, it’s anything but simple. “Think of it like your garden shed.”
“If it's 87% full and every few days you’re swapping out a third of its contents, without double-handling anything and needing everything to go in a specific place, you can imagine the complexity.” Behind what may appear to be an empty yard at times is a gridded, pre-allocated system that can change dramatically within hours.
The secret to maintaining flow under pressure? Hayden says it’s experience, adaptability, and relentless planning. “The team draws on past seasons but constantly updates the plan as conditions evolve, often several times a day,” he explains.
Critical to their success is the support from the Port Nelson workshop team, whose proactive and responsive maintenance schedules keep plant operating safely and efficiently.
This season also brought operational changes, including the relocation of the Vehicle Transfer Area. While it temporarily reduced container storage capacity, it significantly improved safety, providing separation between transport drivers and container handlers.
Hayden says that the Terminal Team doesn’t function without the assistance of every team at Port Nelson, he says that special recognition goes to the Stevedoring team. “They helped fast-track turnarounds by isolating special container requests, loading reefer towers, and responding to customer-specific needs.”
This season also saw a strategic shift in the Cargo Services team, who redefined their roles and responsibilities, contributing directly to smoother terminal operations and improved efficiency. The internal appointment of Hayden Grainger as Terminal Operations Manager at Port Nelson was one example of this.
