Logistics companies work to provide services

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch hopes to be able to handle container ships within three to four days and oil tankers within 48 hours, after a massive earthquake yesterday disrupted its operation.

The port's oil berth has held up well and pipes were being checked. A tanker is due to arrive on Saturday.

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

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

It was aiming to have limited operations available within three to four days 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," Mr Braid said.

Fonterra said it delivered 200,000 litres of fresh water from its Clandeboye plant in South Canterbury to Christchurch this morning. The water was delivered in rail pods usually used to transport milk. The water is being distributed to six distribution points at schools in Christchurch.

The milk co-operative is transporting more bulk storage containers to Clandeboye as it is looking to deliver one million litres of water to Christchurch.

Strait Shipping, which operates Cook Strait ferries, is offering heavily discounted fares for those heading to and from the South Island.

Anyone needing to cross Cook Strait as a result of the earthquake should contact the Bluebridge call centre on 0800 844 844 and quote Cantab relief. Adult fares are $25, children $10 and cars $60 one way.

Emergency services and relief-related freight was also being given priority by the freight service with a significant civil defence contingent already having travelled.

Air New Zealand has also provided discounted fares.