INDUSTRIAL action at the port of Lyttelton’s container terminal is beginning to force shipping lines to make new service arrangements.
Lyttelton Container Terminal users have been warned uncertainty may continue until February, as the Maritime Union of New Zealand and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union protest port company plans to eliminate 24 full-time foreman and at least 20 relieving foremen covered by a collective agreement, and replace them with 21 new roles on individual agreements.
Earlier this month Maersk Line announced that it was reviewing current and future Lyttelton calls by its Southern Star and J-Star services in light of the industrial action.
On Monday the line advised it has, instead of varying services, decided to impose a port congestion surcharge: “In order to keep providing you with our global services, Maersk is introducing a Congestion Fee Origin & Destination (CFO & CFD) for the scope Lyttelton, New Zealand to/from World effective 1 December 2025 for non-regulated countries & effective 15 December 2025 for regulated countries, until further notice.”
The surcharge in all categories will be USD 200 per container.
Today, ANL has notified customers that, expanding on a previous message about reviewing the situation, “we wish to advise that short term capacity constraints at Lyttelton port are currently ongoing.
“Container vessel operations are impacting NZ coastal bookings from Auckland to Lyttelton on the KIX and ANZEX services.
“As a result, we are unable to accept and accommodate any coastal bookings on the KIX and ANZEX services until further notice. Current bookings will be moved to the next available and corresponding TTZ sailing.”
Lyttelton Port Company has made no public comment on the situation since it issued a statement on 7 November: “While other services, such as coal handling and the Inland Port, remain unaffected, loading and unloading container vessels are experiencing delays.
“This is short-term as we transition to a new leadership structure in the container terminal, supporting positive change and growth, and recruiting and training new team members to meet strong cargo demand,” LPC said.
“Recruitment and training are a priority, and we are making good progress; however, there are some short-term impacts on service levels.
“Your support helps us keep cargo moving and maintain the reliability that Canterbury and the South Island depend on. Thank you for your understanding and partnership.”