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Freight backlog being cleared

Posted on 16 November, 2016

Freight companies have been forced to book coastal shipping companies to deal with backlogs, due to the recent series of earthquakes. Although KiwiRail's ferries the Kaitaki and Kaiarahi are providing about 75 per cent of normal capacity on Cook Strait, freight demand between Auckland and Christchurch has already doubled since Monday. Lyttelton Port chief executive Peter Davie says the port is fully operational and able to handle extra cargo. "We are currently undertaking planning work should ferries want to begin a direct Wellington to Lyttelton ferry service into our port," he told news website stuff. "We expect increased domestic cargo will be carried on our normal weekly shipping services and we are preparing for this increased volume. Lyttelton Port has the capacity and would like to help wherever we can". Mainfreight is currently prioritising urgent goods to travel on the Interislander services, that are available from Wellington to Picton and Blenheim. Ports of Auckland is also assisting with the backlog and on Thursday Pacifica's coastal shipping ship Spirit of Canterbury will be in Auckland loading containers for Lyttelton. In terms of road-usage, the NZ Transport Agency has also sent out a statement advising motorists that the State Highway 2 Hutt on-ramp at the bottom of the Ngauranga Gorge is likely to reopen later today, returning to its normal layout. Motorists will notice there are some shipping containers in place. The shipping containers are being used to provide protection from the slip that occurred as a result of the recent heavy rain. Motorists are also being asked to adhere to the temporary speed limit of 50 km/h.