KiwiRail wants backload for new coastal service from Auckland to Christchurch
The government's intention is to restore the rail link between Picton and Christchurch but the route is yet to be worked out.
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Hawke’s Bay
KiwiRail has a workaround for rail lines severed by the Kaikoura earthquake - a coastal shipping service from Auckland to Christchurch.
Its NZ Connect service will ship cargo from Auckland's Wiri Inland Port and KiwiRail's Southdown Freight Hub to Lyttelton's Midland Port or KiwiRail's Christchurch terminal using shipping services supplied by Australia's ANL shipping services.
"The disruption to New Zealand's key supply route between Auckland and Christchurch will continue for many months as the rail and road links are rebuilt," says chief executive Peter Reidy. "Coming up with an alternative way of shifting freight for our customers was important, and KiwiRail is pleased it has been able to do this so quickly."
Among supply route blockages, Wellington's Centreport is hoping to get 25-30% of its container traffic back up after both its container berths were damaged by the quake. The Wellington port is able this week to serve container vessels that have their own cranes.
A plan to extend the service to include return freight from the South to the North Island is being finalised and should be announced soon, KiwiRail says.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key told his weekly post-Cabinet press conference it was the government's intention to restore the rail link between Picton and Christchurch. Although final decisions about the route of both the main trunk rail line and SH1 had yet to be finalised.
The government is introducing emergency legislation to Parliament this week that will, among other things, allow landslide debris to be pushed into the sea.
A decision to build parts of the replacement rail and road links will be likely to require further enabling legislation.
"The long-term expectation is that they would return rail (on the quake-damaged link)," Mr Key says.
(BusinessDesk)
Jonathan Underhill
Tue, 29 Nov 2016
Tue, 29 Nov 2016
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KiwiRail wants backload for new coastal service from Auckland to Christchurch
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