Lyttleton port container volumes up 5.8pc

Christchurch's Lyttleton Port has achieved record container volumes in the first half of the year and despite challenges brought on by the city's 7.1 magnitude earthquake of September 4, which closed port operations, the second half's export and import figures were robust averaging NZ$1 million (US$750,00 million).
According to the Shipping Gazette, container volume increased 5.8 per cent to 252,539 TEU. Overall cargo throughput improvement were driven by coal movements, fertiliser, automobiles and general cargo - plus a record year for logs.
The last four months of the year increased profit and EBITDA by 27 per cent compared to same period 2009 with profit for year end $9.8 million, down three per cent year on year, said the port chairman Rodger Fisher at the LPC annual meeting.
"In line with our strategy to focus on long-term and sustainable growth through innovation and partnerships, we have acquired 7.3 hectares of industrial land adjacent to our CityDepot site in Woolston."
Mr Fisher said the port will review the feasibility of South Island port's Lyttelton and Tauranga accepting 7,000-TEU vessels following the recent report from the Shippers Council on capability of handling larger vessels.