NZ logistics firms working to restore services after quake

New Zealand logistics firms are working hard to restore services after the devastating Christchurch earthquake last week.

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch is a major South Island port and its customers include coal miner Solid Energy and dairy co-operative Fonterra.

The port’s oil had been held up and pipes were being checked.

"An assessment of container assets is that wharves have held up well, but there are urgent minor works to be done," the company said last week.

It was aiming to have limited operations available within three to four days of the quake and to be back to normal in 10 days. Customers would be updated daily.

Navy divers have helped its engineers assess port structures and check the depth of the shipping channel.

The port wanted to establish key services as quickly as possible to ensure food and essential supplies could get in to quake-stricken Christchurch.

Logistics companies are also helping get emergency supplies to get through.

Mainfreight managing director Don Braid said his company sent eight B-train trucks, which have two trailers, with emergency water supplies to Christchurch last night and more were being ordered by customers.

The company was sending two senior managers to Christchurch to "see what we can do for our people".
Mainfreight had a significant branch in Christchurch and a range of business units in the city but it believed its operations were less affected than by the September 4 earthquake.

This was because its operations were in the suburb of Sockburn, rather than in the central city where damage was greatest.

"It seems to me from a Mainfreight perspective we are concerned as hell for our people but our operations are relatively unscathed. Our priority is to ensure our people are okay," Braid said.

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