Coastal Ship Operator Moves Record Freight Loads For Canterbury Firms

Pacifica Shipping has moved a record volume of consumer goods into and out of Canterbury through the port of Lyttelton since the earthquake struck the region, says its general manager of operations, Steve Chapman.

Its coastal vessels have been "absolutely chocker" carrying over 2,000 TUEs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) for Canterbury retail, manufacturing and construction businesses experiencing stock shortages, he said.

"A further 1,000 TEUs will be carried through the local port by our ships over the next few days, giving a continuous service for Canterbury outlets needing urgent consumer supplies."

Mr Chapman said the benefit of having uninterrupted coastal shipping links has been apparent since rail and road transport connections suffered major disruptions over recent days.

"North Island producers and distributors have been quick to recognise this and make use of domestic as well as international shipping connections with the Canterbury region.

"It clearly shows the importance of having regular sea freight connections with other ports around of the country."

ENDS

BUDGET 2012:
Parliament Debate Live - Video Of Budget 2011
Keith Ng Interactive Graphic: How the Budget Breaks Down
BUDGET 2012 - FULL COVERAGE: Reports / Analysis - Press Kit - Reaction (from everybody) - Previews (from everybody) - Pre-Budget Announcements

Gordon Campbell: On the Budget’s Spreadsheet Victories

It wasn’t as if expectations were sky high, exactly. Chances are, it was always more likely that we’d be seeing Bigfoot rampage through the Beehive lock-up than catch a glimpse of a credible growth agenda from this government. More >>

Sludge Budget Report - Short The Dollar! MEMO: To international bankers FROM: C.D. Sludge Please short the dollar! It'll be good for both you and us. And you know you want to. Greexit, Eurogeddon... watch out... flight to quality and all that. Follow your instincts. The NZ Debt Management Office has been so surprised at the unprecedentedly low interest rates that it can borrow at that it has already entirely pre-funded the 2013 fiscal deficit - all $8 billion of it! More >>

Pattrick Smellie Comment: Doddling along the best we can hope forCriticising Budgets for lacking vision or imagination is like shooting fish in a barrel, but even so, this year's Budget again feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's the intrusion of real world needs that means the government couldn't make better political use of the $558.8 million it expects to gather in its first partial asset sale. More >>