Shuttle Connect - Port of Tauranga

Types of Priority Status

The priority status rules are governed by Port of Tauranga and may change.

Priority (36 hours reduced free time)

The Priority Status will result in containers being discharged to a location in the seaport yard which is closer to the rail grid to allow more efficient movement of containers to rail and faster than standard delivery to MetroPort. Only containers that have MPI clearance can be set to Priority.

Containers managed under this priority will require uplift from Metroport within 36 hours of arrival.

If users set a container to priority status then they will receive email confirmation once the container has gated in at Metroport. This email also reminds users of the 36 hours free time. Users will be charged an extra fee (on top of demurrage) by Port of Tauranga if the container exceeds the 36 hour dwell time.

Standard (Default status)

The container will be discharged into the normal yard stacks and will be moved to the rail grid in accordance with POT standard delivery terms & conditions (assuming MPI clearance is in place).

Delayed

The container will be discharged into normal yard stacks and will be moved to the rail grid as and when required after other Priority and Standard containers have been moved in accordance with POT delayed delivery terms & conditions (assuming MPI clearance is in place).

All delayed containers will be moved to MetroPort within the standard seaport free days. If you require additional storage time, this request will need to be directed to the port and may be subject to additional fees.

Step by Step guide

The Shuttle Connect screen allows users to manage the priority status for Import containers up until 6 hours before the vessel ETA.

Follow these steps to request a Priority Status:

1. Select the Shuttle Connect item from the Services menu in PortConnect.

2. Select ‘Tauranga’ from the port drop down list.

3. Search the container number. Containers will display with a status of Available or Unavailable.

4. Select the priority status (see Types of Priority Status below) by clicking on the drop down menu.

5. Click Update / Auto-request.

6. If the current Availability Status is AVAILABLE then the Priority Status will update and the Management Party will display the name or your organisation.

7. If the current Availability Status is UNAVAILABLE then an auto-request will be created and the details will show in the Auto-Request Details column. The Priority Status will remain as Standard but the Auto-Request Status will show your desired Priority.

   

8. If you need to change the Priority from PRIORITY back to STANDARD then you need to CANCEL your Auto-Request by clicking the red X in the options column.

9. You can enter up to 5 email addresses in the ‘Priority Gate-In Email(s)’ field to receive the Notification for each container managed:

   

Auto-Request Details

• If there is no container record in PortConnect yet, an auto-request priority move can be made. The system will re-try priority auto-requests for up to 14 days, at which point the request expires and will need to be requested again by the user.

• If the container has MPI Clearance then the container priority status will automatically be updated. If the container has not met these requirements during this time the Auto-Request will lapse and the container will automatically disappear from the screen.

Availability Status Definitions

Status Messages

The request screen shows Status Messages which can include extra details from the port or confirmation of the success/failure of an update. Below is a table showing the different validation messages and what they mean.

Cancelling Priority Status

Follow these steps to request a cancel Priority Status:

1. Click the red cross cancel button in the options column

2. A pop-up will appear to confirm cancellation, click ‘Yes, Cancel’.

• Only the Trading Partner that managed the auto-request can cancel it. 

• Auto-requests will be displayed for 14 days and then will automatically disappear from the screen.

View Priority Status in Subscribed Track & Trace

The Subscribed Track & Trace service allows users to view the priority status of the container, please see an example below:

Shuttle Connect Notification

PortConnect will send automated Gate-In Notifications when containers arrive at Metroport with a status of Priority. 

Shuttle Connect Notifications can help save time for users by reducing the number of times users need to check the Shuttle Connect and Track & Trace.

Click here to read more about Notifications.

FAQs

Why can’t I access Shuttle Select anymore?

PortConnect’s Shuttle Connect is replacing the Port of Tauranga Shuttle Select system.  Please contact TCT Rail tctrail@port-tauranga.co.nz to discuss any priority moves that may be in place as of 14 April 2021.

Is there a cost for Shuttle Connect?
Shuttle Connect is a free service.

Why can’t I select a time window anymore?
Longer vessel exchanges and issues outside of the port’s control mean they cannot guarantee a window for arrival. Setting the priority before discharge enables the port to plan containers to appropriate trains. 

When will my container arrive at the inland port?
That depends on when the container leaves the port and the conditions on the rail lines. You can sign up for Gate-Out and Gate-In Notifications so that you know once the container has left the seaport and once it has arrived at the inland port.

Will I still get automatic emails once my priority containers arrive at Metroport?
The party that sets a container status to Priority can receive free Gate-In Notifications when the Priority container gates in at Metroport. These notification emails will show the gate-in time and the reduced 36hrs free time for the container. Users will need to set-up a Notification default for the Gate-In Notification, please see the Notifications User-Guide for steps.

Can I get a Gate-Out notification when the container leaves the seaport?
Yes, but to do so you must register interest in the container via the standard Notifications process. Please see the Notifications User-Guide for steps.

Can I set the Gate-In notification to go to my client?
No. If parties other than the requestor wish to receive a gate-in notification then they must register for interest in the container via the standard Notifications process. Please see the Notifications User-Guide for steps.

When will my managed containers show up in the Current Notifications screen?
The Register Of Interest (ROI) for the Priority Gate In occurs when the container actually gates in at Metroport. Priority status containers will show up in the Current Notifications screen after gate in.

Shuttle Connect - Ports of Auckland

Step by Step guide

Follow these steps to update the departure mode and destination:

1. Select the Shuttle Connect item from the Services menu in PortConnect.

2. Select ‘Auckland’ from the port drop down list.

3. Enter the container number. A delivery check may be required. Enter this on the same line as the container number with a space in between.

4. Select the Departure mode by clicking on the drop down menu.

5. Select the Carrier (Only Conlinxx and Nexus will be able to select Conlinxx as the carrier. All other users will only be able to select KiwiRail)

6. Select the Destination (full list of destinations can be found below).

7. Click Update / Auto-request.

8. If the current Availability Status is AVAILABLE then the Status will update and the Management Party will display the name or your organisation.

9. If the current Availability Status is UNAVAILABLE then an auto-request will be created and the details will show in the Auto-Request Details column.

We do not provide the ability to receive acknowledgement emails for each container managed.

Destination List

Conlinxx Destinations

1. Wiri (only Conlinxx can select this option)

KiwiRail Destinations

1. Auckland CT/ Freight Branch

2. Auckland MetroPort

3. Christchurch

4. Hamilton

5. Napier

6. New Plymouth

7. Otahuhu

8. Palmerston North

9. Tauranga/Mt Maunganui

10. Wellington

11. Whangarei

Availability Status Definitions

Status Messages

The request screen shows Status Messages which can include extra details from the port or confirmation of the success/failure of an update. Below is a table showing the different validation messages and what they mean.