CENTREPORT Ltd, the port for the New Zealand city of Wellington, has taken what management say is “a significant step” in increasing container capacity.

Shareholders have just approved the Container Berth Reinstatement project which is part of CentrePort’s ongoing regeneration program.

The 585-metre long Thorndon Container Wharf was seriously damaged in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.

In 2017, CentrePort moved to fortify a 125-metre stretch of the wharf in order to maintain operations.

These temporary repair works enabled CentrePort to resume container operations.

The Thorndon Container Wharf Reinstatement project is set to increase the operational width of the gantry cranes to 250 metres. The project is also improving the berth resilience with new piles and ground improvements.