en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Bledisloe North Wharf construction project at the Port of Auckland has reached a key milestone with the laying of the first precast panel, marking the final construction phase of the new wharf.

The deck-laying phase requires the installation of 290 precast concrete panels, approximately half of which are cast on site, while the other half are precast off site and transported to the site for installation. Once the structure is completed, it will be capable of accommodating vessel berthing.

As Auckland's first multi-purpose wharf designed for large vessels, Bledisloe North Wharf is part of the Port of Auckland's US$200 million infrastructure investment program. The project is being undertaken by HEB Construction, with 242 piles already driven in the first phase to support the deck, consuming over 3,800 cubic meters of concrete.

Once the precast panels are installed, HEB will pour approximately 2,580 cubic meters of concrete on top to form the wharf deck, followed by the installation of marine fittings such as fenders and bollards, as well as wharf support service systems.

The project received fast-track consent in August 2025, alongside the Fergusson North expansion project, which is expected to commence after the completion of Bledisloe North Wharf and become the port's next major undertaking.

Both Bledisloe North Wharf and the Te Waharoa international cruise terminal, being built by Hawkins, are scheduled to officially open in March 2027. Port of Auckland Chief Executive Roger Gray stated that this milestone is of great significance to Auckland, and the investment will support economic growth by expanding cruise tourism and roll-on/roll-off cargo handling capacity. He also noted that the fast-track legislation was a key factor in compressing the delivery timeline, with the project going from consent application to completion in just two years.