Port Otago commercial manager Craig Usher said the wharf was built in the 1930s, and although some repair work had been done over the years, it had deteriorated and was no longer fit for purpose.
Because it was used extensively by the Ravensdown fertiliser works, considerable work was needed to bring it back up to specification.
"It involves putting in new piles and duplicating the berth and putting some new fenders on.
"We’ve done quite a bit of work over the last couple of years on design work, both internally and with external contractors, and gone through the process with Ravensdown on what we’re looking to do."
He said the drilling equipment and piles arrived on a barge on Monday, and work had now begun.
"What we’re doing is strengthening the structure to make sure it’s fit for purpose."
He said the wharf would be closed during construction..
The fertiliser ships would instead berth at T/U sheds in Dunedin, and the contents would be transported to the works by truck.
"[Ravensdown] operations will continue as normal. They just won’t be able to discharge on their site.
"It just means that for that period, we’ll have a few more truck moves on the road."
He said the work had been a long time coming.
"With the current supply chain challenges globally at the moment, we’re glad we’re able to start on time.
"We’ve done a lot of work in the background to get to this point."
The wharf was expected to be operational again by early March.
