Lyttelton Port Plans NZ$821m Expansion for Growing Trade

Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) is moving forward with an NZ$821m ($476m) development at Te Awaparahi Bay as it prepares to accommodate increasing South Island trade volumes and larger vessels.

The major expansion will include a new deepwater wharf and container terminal, significantly increasing the port’s future handling capacity.

Plans for the development include the construction of a 388-meter deepwater wharf alongside a five-hectare container terminal. Four new ship-to-shore cranes will also be installed, while semi-automated gantry cranes will be introduced within the container yard.

Once operational, the expansion is expected to increase Lyttelton Port’s annual berth capacity to approximately 850,000 teu. The project is currently scheduled for completion in 2031.

According to LPC, improving the resilience of its container operations is one of the main reasons behind the investment with Chief Executive Graeme Sumner saying that rebuilding the port’s existing container berths would require at least three years and cause significant disruption to container handling activities.

Developing the new facilities at Te Awaparahi Bay will instead enable Lyttelton Port to maintain full operating capacity while addressing its long-term infrastructure requirements. The additional facilities will also help prepare the port for future growth in cargo volumes and the arrival of larger ships serving South Island trade.

Christchurch City Holdings (CCHL) has approved the expansion following due diligence covering the project’s business case, financing arrangements and strategic requirements.

CCHL expects to provide approximately NZ$300m in equity toward the development and Lyttelton Port Company will fund the remaining cost of the NZ$821m project.