OCEANIA

Christchurch open but assessing quake damage

16 years ago

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) says its priority is “keeping the port operational so that the essential food, fuel and other supplies needed by Christchurch can get through” despite suffering earthquake damage.

Port Strategy: Earthquake damage incurred at the three-kilometre mark on the Midland Line on the outskirts of Christchurch city

The NZ port promptly resumed operations after the first quake registering 7.1 on the Richter Scale struck just 40 kilometres to its west early on Saturday September 4.

Destroying at least 500 buildings, cracking roads and buckling railway lines, the earthquake has left huge damage in its wake, and a series of 300 aftershocks have doubled Christchurch’s estimated repair bill to around NZ$4 billion (US$2.8 billion).

Despite itself facing a repair bill estimated at “tens of millions of dollars”, the South Island port was able to resume core services within hours and recommenced full cargo operations the following afternoon after the first quake.

However, Wednesday saw an aftershock of a 5.1 magnitude, which temporarily closed the 1.9 kilometre tunnel linking the port to the city while structural assessments were made.

After this last, large aftershock the port’s chief executive, Peter Davie said that the port is still operational, and continues to “assess its facilities after every large shake.”