Port of Tauranga's commercial manager Graeme Marshall is floating court action as one option to resolve a disagreement with transport logistics company NZL Group.
The details of a contract signed between the two companies in 2004 is in dispute.
NZL Group claims the contract allowed it to reinstate a container terminal operation at Sulphur Point.

The Port of Tauranga and transport logistics company NZL Group are at loggerheads over a contract both companies signed in 2004.

Graeme does not agree, saying NZL Group and the port interpret ‘services' differently.
'They believe they have the right to establish a full container terminal but they were never operating a full container terminal,” says Graeme.
NZL Group's managing director Ken Harris says the contract clearly stipulates the company can reinstate a terminal at Sulphur Point.
'That's beyond dispute. It was an operating terminal and that's a matter of fact. If the port denies that, then it's going to be very interesting,” says Ken.
'The terminal's definitely going ahead. It's a very good business proposition and it's good for the district,” says Ken.
'There are contractual matters that need to be resolved between NZL and the Port of Tauranga Limited.”
The Port of Tauranga has a different opinion – 'We are endeavouring to work through the matters in dispute. While court action is one option, we would hope the matter can resolved between the parties,” says Graeme.