New Zealand’s largest fuel import terminal business, Channel Infrastructure NZ Ltd., has made 93 million litres of diesel storage capacity available for the New Zealand government at its Marsden Point Energy Precinct.
The company said the additional capacity will provide New Zealand with a crucial nine days of extra diesel demand coverage, significantly enhancing the nation’s fuel security.
In a rapid response to tightening global energy markets, Channel Infrastructure and a substantial workforce of Northland contractors worked around the clock over a tight nine-week period to deliver the project. The accelerated build required the fabrication and connection of more than 750 metres of new pipework.
Channel Infrastructure CEO, Rob Buchanan, said: “Channel has a proven track record of being able to deliver large scale infrastructure projects that are critical for New Zealand’s energy security.
“The entire Channel team is proud to have been able to serve the country by enhancing the resilience of New Zealand to any potential fuel supply chain disruptions.
“The 93 million litres of diesel storage has been delivered at an absolutely critical juncture as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt oil supplied through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The commissioning marks the first phase of a broader energy security rollout at Marsden Point. Channel Infrastructure is also on track to commission additional aviation jet fuel storage for Z Energy in July.
Following the completion of these two major projects, the company revealed it still retains an uncommitted 350 million litres of tank capacity.
This remaining footprint is available to be repurposed for further fuel security initiatives or strategic reserves if required by the government or commercial partners.
The successful delivery reinforces Marsden Point’s transitioning role from a former crude oil refinery into a high-capacity import and storage hub reinforcing the region’s transport fuel supply chain.
