Extra shipping could fill supply gaps

Shipping for South Island imports and exports is not expected to be interrupted by Monday's earthquakes, but some interisland domestic cargoes could face disruption for weeks.

The New Zealand Shippers' Council said there was capacity in existing domestic shipping lines to service the South Island, but bringing extra ships to New Zealand would be considered.

Visiting international shipping lines also had the capacity to deliver coastal freight, he said.

Supermarket giant Foodstuffs yesterday said that with the exception of limited stock in Kaikoura, the rest of its operations had adequate stock levels at distribution centres, and truck deliveries were getting through.

Countdown has most outlets operating, but there could be delays in some areas.

CentrePort at Wellington's rail wharf was earthquake damaged and remains inoperable, which will interrupt some cargoes.

The wharf was still under assessment yesterday.

CentrePort's operations are suspended, but ferries were running again and the oil terminal was due to reopen late yesterday.

Shippers' Council chairman Mike Knowles said yesterday talks with council members were under way and he expected additional port calls would be arranged by New Zealand shippers and international lines.

''We have the [New Zealand operated coastal] ships here already to help fill the gap, but in the longer term we may have to look at bringing in additional ships from overseas,'' he said.

The effects of the earthquake, with the possibility main road and rail links to Kaikoura could take months to be reinstated, should prompt closer scrutiny of New Zealand's overall supply chain, Mr Knowles said.

''We need to look at the resilience of the supply chain, not just because of the east coast [Kaikoura] being out, but the whole country and how we cope with natural disasters.''

Mainfreight's chief executive Don Braid said the company was turning to coastal shipping to continue its South Island operation, NZME. reported.

There is now an alternative inland state highway route between Picton, via Murchison and the Lewis Pass, to Christchurch.

Road Transport Association of New Zealand chief executive Dennis Robertson said imports and exports, especially the latter, would continue uninterrupted from Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and Port Otago in Dunedin.

The road tunnel connecting Christchurch to Lyttelton was closed following the earthquake, but it was reopened yesterday.

''I believe the tunnel [closure] was a precaution . . . We had a lot of ground movement in Christchurch,'' Mr Robertson said.

With the ports at Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and SouthPort at Bluff unscathed by the earthquake, operations would not be interrupted, he said.

He said total cargo tonnage across Wellington's wharves was relatively small when compared with the combined Tauranga, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers operations.

He noted Timaru's PrimePort also had its direct shipping link with 50% shareholder Port of Tauranga, plus POT's complementary inland port at Rolleston in Christchurch also linked to Timaru by road and rail.

''There could be some short-term delays in the domestic markets,'' he said.

However, Foodstuffs and Countdown both responded to ODT questions yesterday with assurances most outlets could be supplied.

Foodstuffs South Island chief executive Steve Anderson said staff had worked round the clock to get access to Kaikoura and get its New World reopened yesterday morning.

''They are facing significant challenges with key services such as power and water having been out in the town for a period of time yesterday,'' he said in a statement.

Foodstuffs' distribution centres had ''more than adequate stock'' in both the South and North Island and customers should not be concerned, Mr Anderson said.

Except for the ''odd delay'', trucks were getting to stores as normal and were managing stock to ensure everyone had access to staple items.

''It's great news that trucks are now coming across on the interisland ferries and are able to access Christchurch via the Lewis Pass. On top of this, we are continuing to utilise sea freight options,'' Mr Anderson said.

Countdown said all its South Island outlets, including Blenheim, were open, but Seddon's SuperValue was closed and its Palmerston North distribution centre was closed, with orders switched to Auckland, but its Christchurch centre was operating.

''There may be some delays, but we are able to get deliveries into all affected areas,'' Countdown's statement said.

New Zealand Post said its network was ''largely operational again'', with interisland mail being moved on the reduced ferry timetables, while trucks were now taking an alternative route through the Lewis Pass.

simon.hartley@odt.co.nz