Ports of Auckland council owner yet to be told of likely automation delay 17 May, 2021 05:00 PM 4 minutes to read Ports of Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig Ports of Auckland has not informed its Auckland Council owner of any potential delay to full automation of its container terminal - despite advising others it will likely miss a time undertaking made by the port chief executive. Tony Gibson in March said the controversial automation project, under way for five years at a cost the port and the council refuse to reveal, would go live in June or early July. While a port spokesman late last week would only say the timing had not changed, the Herald obtained an advisory from the port which said there was a strong likelihood full automation would not start until August some time.