Eastland Port upgrades lights for log operations

“We’re replacing old light towers to give staff and contractors working on port more light and visibility,” explained contracts project manager Mark Richards.

“The port is a 24-hour operation and so proper lighting is important for keeping a safe and healthy workplace. It can prevent workplace accidents by increasing the visibility of moving machinery and other safety hazards.”

Designed and built by Universal Engineering in Gisborne, each new lighting tower is 30m-high, 60cm in diameter, and weighs around 3t. The towers feature an array of three to eight energy-efficient LED lights produced in Italy.

Richards said the lights use energy-saving technology. “The life of each light is 80,000 hours. If we run it 12 hours a day, 365 days a year, we’ll get 18 years of use and we’ll never have to change a lamp in all that time.”

CR Taylor transported the last tower from Stanley Road to the port earlier this month. Once commissioning is complete both towers should be turned on by the end of next week.

Located right in the heart of the city of Gisborne, Eastland Port is New Zealand’s second largest log exporter and the most easterly commercial shipping port in New Zealand. The port’s log export volumes are booming, with 3 Mtpa handled currently, which is set to reach 5 Mtpa once its twin berth planned development is completed.