Emergency Status Lifted at Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

The Lyttelton Port of Christchurch lifted its emergency status today and moved into the planning phase for long-term rehabilitation of earthquake-damaged facilities and the development of the port.

Port facilities were significantly damaged in the 6.3 magnitude earthquake of February 22.

“Fortunately the port is extremely resilient in terms of people, infrastructure and facilities, and we’ve achieved a huge amount in the past three weeks,” says Chief Executive Peter Davie.

“Core services at the port were up and running for limited operations in just 96 hours. Now, normal container-line services have resumed and today the first export shipment of coal left the port.

“We’re at the stage where we can end our emergency status and get down to the task of planning for the long-term rehabilitation of damaged port facilities and for the further development of the port,” Mr Davie says.

“This rapid recovery is a major achievement, especially when many of our staff, customers and contractors had their own stressful problems to deal with.”

The Lyttelton Port of Christchurch was very close to the epicentre of the earthquake, which was located just streets away and at a depth of just 5km. The damage compounded the effects of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake of last September.

“As the trade gateway to the South Island, the port plays a major role in the economic wellbeing of the Canterbury region,” Mr Davie says.

“We have a deep awareness of our responsibility to contribute to the recovery of Christchurch by keeping goods and commodities moving. It’s not only jobs for our staff that we need to protect, but also jobs of others in the Canterbury region. Canterbury needs a healthy, growing port.”

Mr Davie also expressed sadness at the situation in Japan following the massive 8.9 earthquake and tsunami last Friday.

“We have enormous respect for the resilience and forbearance of the Japanese people and wish them all the best in their recovery efforts.”

ENDS

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