MEDIA RELEASE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

PARTS OF CENTREPORT REOPENED FOR BUSINESS

With the support of various agencies, suppliers and customers, CentrePort has managed to resume key parts of its business within 72 hours of Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake which caused damage to buildings, wharves and roadways with liquefaction and differential settlement in places.

“We had to suspend operations to conduct engineering assessments of all our infrastructure and buildings amid adverse weather conditions, while much of the CBD was also closed for safety reasons,” Chief Executive Derek Nind said.

“By Monday night, we managed to get ferries up and running and we’ve also got the Seaview oil terminal open and today we’ve got a rail line working so we can begin moving freight off the port to waiting customers.

“Tomorrow, we expect to refuel and resupply HMNZS Endeavour and an international naval ship involved in the relief effort for quake-affected Kaikoura.”

Chairman Lachie Johnstone said the port is a key infrastructure asset for the lower North Island and the link between the North Island and South Island.

“Our focus needs to be on restoring operations as quickly as possible while maintaining public safety.

“Engineering assessments are complex and it will take time to get accurate information about the state of our infrastructure and buildings,” Mr Johnstone said.

Mr Nind said the company planned to reopen its Burnham Wharf for shipping services and the first oil tanker would arrive at Seaview tomorrow.

“Engineers also gained access to Statistics House today to begin a preliminary assessment of the building.”

Mr Nind said port staff were working alongside other agencies on the recovery effort to get the port up and running again safely and as early as practicable.

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