Centreport handles issues

Thanks to the assistance of shipping lines, customers and suppliers, CentrePort staff have still managed to get container freight moving through the port, following the impact of last week’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Chief Executive Derek Nind says the suspension of shipping operations from the damaged container terminal had forced the company to think differently about its business. “With our two gantry cranes and container berth out of action, our staff have worked with shipping lines, customers and suppliers to find alternative ways to move containers in and out of the port and across the region, which will give customers options to get their freight to Wellington.” Nind said the company was working on a variety of short and medium-term solutions including mobile cranes on the wharf, and the possibility of building a bespoke platform to support the existing gantry cranes. “We are currently assessing the options, while also talking to our customers everyday so they know what’s happening.” CentrePort Chairman Lachie Johnstone said the board was pleased with progress made by the Port, which had worked with various agencies to get up and running after the quake. “We’ve got ferries, fuel, logs, cars, and cruise ships operating successfully and we’re working on solutions for our container service, which is vital to many businesses and households across central New Zealand.” Johnstone said the company had begun talking to a range of key stakeholders about long-term measures to improve resilience at the Port, which contributes $2.5 billion to GDP and supports 21,000 jobs in the central region.