MAJOR New Zealand North Island ports will begin closing tonight [10 April] as Tropical Cyclone Vaianu bears down on the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty in particular.
TC Vaianu caused havoc in Fiji earlier this week and is expected to arrive in Northland late tomorrow as a potentially significant and damaging storm with torrential rain, winds of up to 140 km/h and extreme sea conditions.
Earth Sciences NZ and Metservices have warned no part of the North Island will be unaffected, with severe rainfall warnings issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, as well as strong wind warnings for Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Taranaki.
In a notice to customers ANL NZ said disruption to port work and sailing schedules is expected, with Ports of Auckland advising that all vessel and port operations would pause from 1500 hours Saturday 11 April, to 0700 hours Monday 13 April at both Fergusson Terminal and Multi-Cargo terminals.
Meanwhile, Port of Tauranga will suspend all inbound vessel movements from 1800 tonight. The earliest anticipated reopening for vessel entry is 0800 Monday, with cargo operations expected to recommence on Monday.
“We have been advised by both ports that disruption to vessel working windows is expected throughout next week,” ANL said.
“With the arrival of Cyclone Vaianu this weekend, shipping and maritime activities will be significantly affected as swell conditions are forecasted to exceed safe operating parameters from early Saturday in the North Island region.
“In addition to current accumulated delays along the New Zealand coast, we are anticipating this weather event to further disrupt forward shipping operations such as draft and move counts restrictions at ports, berthing availability and schedule integrity.
“Some bookings may be impacted as we work to minimise disruptions and ensure safe loading of the vessels.
Kindly refer to port websites for latest receivals and sailing schedule,” the carrier said.
NPDL advised berthing for Capitaine Tasman is delayed for two days: ETA Tauranga on 15 April and Auckland on 17 April, while there’s no impact to Capitaine Tupaia at this stage.
“This advisory is based on current forecast and port operations knowledge and is subject to further change based on developing weather conditions. We will provide further updates once we have more clarity on Monday morning. Please keep safe, and we appreciate you bearing with us while we continue to monitor and work through the disruption,” NPDL said.