PrimePort Timaru chief executive Jeremy Boys has resigned, saying the move is so the company can refresh itself.
PrimePort is considering a restructure under which 16 jobs could go but Mr Boys says his resignation has nothing to do with that.
The company was in good shape thanks to a partnership between PrimePort and the Port of Tauranga, he said.
"The port's now in a great place. Its alignment with Tauranga is actually very exciting and it's probably going to take the port to a new place.
"So I think it's a really a good time for probably myself, after 13 years, to just have a bit of a refresh and probably a good time for the port to do the same."