Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) achieved a remarkable return to operations within mere hours of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck just 40 kilometres to its west at 4.35am on September 4, 2010, writes Iain MacIntyre.
Recalling his thoughts and reactions immediately following the traumatic event - which damaged about 40% of the port’s wharves among the NZ$4bn (US$3.1bn) carnage across the Canterbury region - LPC chief executive Peter Davie says the immediate focus was staff safety.
“Once we had established that none of our team had been harmed, we turned our attention to resuming operation of our core services,” he says.
“Our engineers and maintenance staff were able to assess the port’s infrastructure and facilities in a timely manner and, while the damage was significant, we were able to get core services back under way just a few hours after the earthquake.
“Once it was determined it was safe to resume work at the port, staff, including crane and heavy machinery operators, were given the option of going home. The combined effort of our 400-strong team meant the vital goods required by the city were able to get through to ensure local businesses could continue to trade as best they could.”
Mr Davie says “communication was crucial” to the recovery.
“There was a need to talk regularly with all staff, our customers and the community about the state of the port and the work being undertaken.
“Following each aftershock our team had to carry out additional checks on the port and its infrastructure, and report back to key staff ensuring safety was the number one priority.”
In the week following the earthquake, LPC was consequently able to receive nine vessels, handle almost 7,000 teu and receive 29 trains carrying more than 40,000 tonne of coal, while its inland port facility handled over 1,300 units and carried out 277 repairs.
Mr Davie heralds the “incredible effort” of his staff to ensure the port lived up to its role as the “major trade gateway to the South Island”.
“Many of our team were working under extreme stress and dealing with their own losses - at least ten had their homes substantially damaged or totally destroyed.
“LPC would also like to thank the entire Canterbury community for all their hard work to help those in need during this difficult time. It is our strong community spirit and ‘get on and do it’ attitude that makes this a special place to live and work.”
With speculation LPC’s repairs - for which it is insured - could run between NZ$50m to NZ$200m - Davie says the port is now focused on the future.
“We carried out some urgent repair work in the days following the earthquake but the full repair and rebuilding of the wharves and infrastructure will be an exercise that could take years. Our focus now will be on rebuilding while minimising the impact on ongoing operations.
“It is my fervent hope that the earthquake we experienced was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is something the people of Canterbury will remember for the rest of their lives.”
