The Port of Tauranga's trade figures for the year ended June 30, 2010 are indicating the country's exporters are emerging from recession.

Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns.

Cargo crossing the Port of Tauranga wharves was 13.748 million tonnes – up 2.4 per cent on last year. The 2009 year recorded a decrease in tonnage of 0.5 per cent.

In his report to Tuesday's annual general meeting port chief executive Mark Cairns said logs represented 44 per cent of the port's total cargo tonnage last year.

Forestry exports were up by 19 per cent to 6.04 million tonnes, compared with overall exports which increased more than 8 per cent to 9.19 million tonnes.

'Forestry products have always been a strong backbone for this port and to report such an increase is very encouraging, particularly through the recession,” says Mark.

Log exports increased by 25 per cent, sawn timber exports increased by 36 per cent.

Container volumes for the year were down by 6.5 per cent, mainly as a result of service rationalisation by some of the big lines, says Mark.

Recession prompted several mergers and vessel sharing arrangements, and while Port of Tauranga Ltd gained increased exports, some market share was lost in imports.

'We consider this consolidation and the trend of larger vessels calling at fewer ports will be ongoing into the future,” says Mark.

PTL increased market share by 30 per cent during the year, and now handles 80 per cent more international cargo volume than Auckland, and three times the volume of international exports.

'Our diverse income streams and balanced portfolio of bulk, break-bulk and containerised cargoes have helped us to maintain growth, with revenue up 3.1 per cent and underlying earnings up 9.3 per cent.”

The port company's first quarter trading this financial year is up 25 per cent, containers up 10 per cent, and net profit after tax up 10 per cent.

'Provided there are no significant market changes, we expect to achieve full year earnings in the current range of analyst forecasts which between $51-53 million.

'I sincerely thank our customers, business partners, staff and directors who have helped us achieve another record result.”