Lyttelton Port to Invest $13.7 Million In New Cruise Berth

There is good news and a boost for the Canterbury economy with today’s announcement that the Lyttelton Port of Christchurch will invest $13.7million in a new purpose built cruise berth.

There has been much discussion and debate in recent years about the need for a purpose built cruise berth at the region’s port to capture more of this growing tourism market.

A recent Economic Impact Study undertaken by Cruise New Zealand [Cruise NZ] estimated that the 100,000 passengers expected in the 2010-2011 season would inject around $23 million into the Canterbury economy.

In the 2011-2012 season 72 cruise ship visits are forecast and that would result in an estimated $32 million injection into the economy. With sufficient berth capacity at Lyttelton, the port could see up to 100 vessels visit in a season in the future.

LPC has undertaken extensive consultation and negotiation with industry partners and stakeholders to identify a solution that is both commercially sound for the business of LPC and good for the wider Canterbury community and economy.

The Board of LPC has today confirmed the investment of $13.7 million in the development of the infrastructure for a new cruise berth. The project has the agreement and support of the cruise industry through Cruise NZ.

The development of this cruise berth will be funded by a passenger development levy as agreed between Lyttelton Port of Christchurch, Cruise New Zealand, and cruise lines to New Zealand, and will include limited passenger facilities.

The cruise berth will be at a new location at the end of Cashin Quay berth [CQ4] on the western end of the Lyttelton Container Terminal.

The development of a short [40 meter] heavy duty berth with a mooring dolphin at CQ4 would also add capacity as a container and general cargo berth during the cruise off season. This will be particularly useful during the port rebuild following the earthquake.

Chief Executive Peter Davie says the cruise berth development is critical to the region retaining the cruise industry. “That is important from a commercial perspective to LPC and just as importantly to the local economy because of the level of spending by cruise passengers in the wider Canterbury community.”

LPC will undertake a robust communication and consultation program with key stakeholders and the community as part of the consenting process for this project.

Peter Davie says the cruise market remains a large and growing presence in Canterbury tourism and
LPC expects to see a substantial increase in cruise visits to the port over the next 10 to 15 years.

PHOTO: Aerial photo of the Lyttelton port (Kappa Pi Sigma)