Port serves Solid Energy with notice

Photo / Supplied

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch has served its major customer Solid Energy with a force majeure notice.

The port, which has been affected by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake and a succession of severe aftershocks, said the move was precautionary.

Force majeure clauses in contracts excuse a party from liability if an unforseen event prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract. They can be used when natural disasters occur.

Since Saturday the port has loaded a 20,000 tonne ship for Pike River Coal Ltd, a listed coal miner.

Solid Energy is a state owned enterprise with operates as a commercial company. It has mines near Greymouth, Westport and Reefton on the West Coast of the South Island. Its coal is railed to Christchurch for export from Lyttelton.

Solid Energy's exports in the year to June 30 were down at 1.4 million tonnes from 1.6 million tonnes in the previous year.

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch is majority owned by a council holding company but is also listed on the share market.

It said today that it was being affected by severe aftershocks. The port remained operational and but assessed its facilities after every large shake.

It said staff were working under extreme stress to keep the port operating.