Port defends ‘minor’ delays

Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) says any delays experienced by pure car carriers (PCC) at its site are “relatively minor” compared with the issues facing shipping lines at other ports worldwide.

Shipping lines recently voiced their frustrations about likely delays at the port this month because of three coal vessels being scheduled to arrive there back-to-back over a 10-day period.

Toyofuji and Armacup both said PCCs due to visit the port during the same spell risked having to wait a number of days until they could discharge vehicles, with the main berth for such activity being dominated by the coal ships. 

Paul Monk, LPC’s general manager bulk cargo and marine services, says the company understands the importance of facilitating trade on schedule and that “small delays have large impacts on the wider supply chain”.

“However, the nature of the shipping industry means that vessels come in peaks and troughs,” he explains. 

“For most of the time, we have successfully berthed PCCs at Lyttelton, even keeping up with the steep increase in car vessel visits in the last year.

“Lyttelton already has the capabilities to successfully berth all vessels as needed. The main berth for PCCs in Lyttelton, CQ1 [Cashin Quay 1], is utilised less than 50 per cent of the time as it is, with significant periods where there are no vessels.”

Monk, pictured, adds issues around berth priorities only arise when there are unusual peaks or clusters of vessels wanting to berth. At such times, he explains LPC will ensure it can complete all operations in a safe manner.

He also says coal vessels have contractual right to use CQ1 as they require the coal-loading facilities there. 

“We are always striving to accommodate the large range of vessels that visit LPC, with last week placing the PCC Don Juan on CQ2 ahead of a waiting container vessel, having also recently placed a PCC in the inner harbour to be worked,” notes Monk.

“In a time of peak global congestions, any possible delays at Lyttelton remain relatively minor when compared to delays at ports globally.”