Downturn in container traffic

Press, 9 December 1983, Page 11

Downturn in container traffic

Volume handled through the Port of Lyttelton’s container terminal for the month of October was 40 per cent below budget, the terminal’s manager, Mr P. G. Morgan, has reported. In his monthly report to the Lyttelton Harbour Board, Mr Morgan said the terminal’s total revenue for the month was 29 per cent below budget, at $554,553. ‘‘This was entirely due to a significant downturn in the United Kingdom/European trade,” he said. “Direct operating costs were 3 per cent below budget, which is indicative of the high fixed costs in the container terminal.” The total ship exchange of 20ft containers was 1275, compared with a budgeted figure of 2172. Container movements totalled 1490, and containers packed and unpacked numbered 100, compared with the budgeted 162. Revenue for the L.C.L. volume was 39 per cent down

on predictions. Mr Morgan said the recent announcement of the Japan-ese-Korean container service operating out of the port from late December would help the current problem of a downturn in volume.

“Nevertheless, a significant upturn in volume must take place from January onwards if a reduction in payroll cost is to be avoided early in the New Year,” he said.

Mr Morgan said management would continue to monitor the situation and current forecasts showed a slight upturn in volume for December, which was expected to continue through into January. ARRIVALS Spirit of Free Enterprise (7 a.m.) 1204, Wellington (Pacifica). DEPARTURES Union Sydney (6 p.m.) 9330, Wellington (U.M.S.). Erne (7 a.m.) 13,778, Bluff (U.M.S.). Spirit of Free Enterprise (4.30 p.m.) 1204, Wellington (Pacifica). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Union Nelson, Onehunga, today (6 a.m.). Union Dunedin, Dndn, today (7 a.m.). Klimovo, sea, today (7.30 a.m.). Spirit of Free Enterprise, Wgtn, tomorrow.

Tasman Venture, Taur, to-

morrow. Reefer Duku, sea, tomorrow. Ervilla, sea, tomorrow.

Coastal Trader, Auck, Dec. 12. Svet Laya, sea, Dec. 12. Forum New Zealand, Brisbane,

Dec. 12. Kota Wijaya, Nap, Dec. 12. Conastoga, Melbourne, Dec. 12. Spirit of Free Enterprise, Wgtn, Dec. 13. Toyo Fuji No. 8, Sydney, Dec. 13. Coastal Trader, Auck, Dec. 14. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Union Nelson, Onehunga, today (4 p.m.). Klimovo, sea, today (4 p.m.). Union Dunedin, Wgtn, tomorrow. Full Moon, Dndn, tomorrow. Spirit of Free Enterprise, Wgtn, Dec. 11. Ervilla, sea, Dec. 11. Coastal Trader, Dndn, Dec. 12. Reefer Duku, sea, Dec. 12. Forum New Zealand, Nap, Dec. 12. Spirit of Free Enterprise, Wgtn, Dec. 13. Svet Laya, sea, Dec. 13. Tasman Venture, Dndn, Dec. 13. Conastoga, Wgtn, Dec. 13. Kota Wijaya, Taur., Dec. 13. Toyo Fuji No. 8, Taur., Dec. 13. VESSELS IN PORT Full Moon, Cashin Quay No. 2. Canterbury, Dry Dock.