But that has not stopped Port Otago staff from naming one of their giant container straddle carriers after pop star Sir Elton John.
The 68-tonne straddles can transport up to four containers at once and have a top speed of 25kmh when empty.
No 29 was officially named after the piano man yesterday.
"The directors came up with the idea. It was just a bit of fun, really. There's got to be a bit of fun in the business, too," Port Otago plant services manager Bob Smillie said yesterday.
"The idea is to personalise the big machines our men and women are spending so much of their working day on and we thought we would name them after icons of the entertainment world over the last 30 or 40 years.
"At the moment, they are all numbered and we thought it would be fun, and a bit unique, to give them names. The intention is to eventually name all the large straddles and machines in the container terminal, but we thought we would start with Elton because he's here.
"The next step will be to let the staff decide the names.
"We will probably do a short list and everyone can have a vote."
The port authority operated 15 straddles at the terminal, Mr Smillie said.
The huge machines are made in Finland by Kalmar and assembled when they arrive in Dunedin.
"We told the Kalmar people about it and they said they had never heard of anything like it. It's a world first, as far as they are concerned," Mr Smillie said.
"We would have liked Elton to come down and have a drive of the straddle, but we appreciate he might be a bit busy for that."
