Car imports steady in south

The number of cars handled by Lyttelton Port Company came in at 17,392 for the final six months of 2025, which was up 0.4 per cent from 17,319 units in the corresponding period a year earlier.

The figures come as the company announced a record financial result in the first half of the 2026 financial year.

Revenue, profit and earnings all reached their highest levels, which the company says reflects strong growth in bulk imports and exports underpinned by disciplined cost management.

Total revenue for the six months to the end of December 2025 was $108.5 million, a year-on-year increase of $7.7m or 7.6 per cent.

Net profit after tax climbed $2.3m or 19.2 per cent over the same period to $14.6m, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation climbed $4.8m or 15.4 per cent to $35.8m.

The company’s half-year expenses of $72.7m were up by $2.9m or 4.2 per cent.

Graeme Sumner, chief executive officer, says the results are another step on the road towards a financially sustainable organisation. 

“This growth demonstrates the ongoing resilience of our bulk operations and the important role the port continues to play in supporting Canterbury’s and the South Island economy,” he adds.

Bulk cargo in the first six months of the financial year increased 13 per cent year-on-year, rising from 1,706,212 tonnes to 1,933,613 tonnes, and was well ahead of previous results. 

Container numbers fell to 208,829 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), four per cent less than a year ago. 

However, Sumner notes second-half TEU volumes are expected to be significantly higher, on the back of a busy export season.