Powerful aftershocks hinder Lyttelton recovery

Jocelyn Patel 12.00

Two aftershocks of magnitudes 5.7 and 6.3 hit Christchurch on Monday, disrupting a programme of repair works put in place after the damage caused by the September 2010 and February 2011 quakes.

Today, chief executive Peter Davie confirmed that containership berthing windows had been suspended until further notice, although container movements in and out of the port via road and rail are continuing as normal. Container vessel operations were expected to return to normal by Friday.

“An initial engineering assessment of container assets is that wharves have been further damaged. In addition, new cracks have appeared in areas paved since the February earthquake,” said Mr Davie.

Emergency remediation work should see the oil berth return to operations on Monday, while general cargo operations fared slightly better with access restrictions failing to stop working of ships.

Mr Davie stressed that the full extent of the damage to the port from these latest quakes is still being accessed, adding “our clear focus is on ensuring that goods and commodities are moved safely through the port.

“We would like to thank all of our customers for their understanding and patience in what again is proving to be a stressful and busy time for everyone.”

Mr Davie told local press that the Port, the South Island’s busiest port, was bracing itself for “big jump” in insurance costs as it looks to renew its cover at the end of June.