Second container crane plan may be abandoned

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 1

Second container crane plan may be abandoned

Shipping reporter The Lyttelton Harbour Board is expected to abandon its bid for a second container crane. This move is likely to be made after the board reviews the terminal’s use over the first two-year period, which ends on Monday. The board’s general manager (Mr J. A. McPhail) said yesterday the board could be approaching a “break-even” point with the terminal. “Depending on many aspects, we might even slightly exceed that point by the end of the financial year on September 30,” he said. Mr McPhail warned about the vulnerability of

the terminal to shipping fluctuations and the fine margins being worked on, for a critical five-month period ahead. Ninety-two ships have used the terminal since the ACT 2 began landing containers on June 18, 1977, and 39,430 containers have been exchanged during the two years. The containers include 1030 railed between the ports of Port Chalmers and Wellington. Only four hours were lost at the terminal because of weather. On one occasion straddle-carrier drivers could not see through falling snow for two hours, and another two hours were lost because of south-

erly winds gusting to 47 knots. Mr McPhail said a slightly better than breakeven point so far this year had produced a better overall return for the terminal which it was hoped would be maintained. A much sounder position would be created through a share of the Japanese container trade, which now calls solely at Port Chalmers in the South Island. An approach was made to the Japan Line several weeks ago, and the board is now awaiting a decision. The results of the board’s mission to Japan might be known within 10 days. The board’s application last year for a second container crane was deferred by the Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan) for 12 months on the recommendation of the Ports Authority. A decision on whether the application will be renewed this year is expected soon. Board members were evenly divided on whether to make the original application last year. However, this time there is expected to be a majority decision opposing the heavy commitment of a second crane. The present single crane has been used for only slightly less than the required 20,000 containers a year. Forecasts indicate that the average may exceed 20,000 by the end of the financial year.