Weather hits December log trade at port

File picture by Paul Rickard

THE weather affected trade through Eastland Port last month and what looked like being another record month at one stage ended up being an average one.

The port exported 214,000 tonnes of logs on 10 ships and received 2400 tonnes of fertiliser in three consignments on the coastal bulk carrier Anatoki.

“December was on a track to set another throughput record halfway through and then the weather played a big part,” a port official said.

“Heavy seas cost the port about 10 days of cargo handling last month.

“It was impossible to dock ships on those days. Several log shipments had to be rescheduled until this month.”

However, January has started well, with four log ships in and out of the port already.

The latest arrival, the Gold Oak, sailed last night.

The next log ship is due on Saturday and several more ships are scheduled before the end of the month.

Cruise ship Golden Princess will make her second scheduled visit to Poverty Bay next Tuesday.

“The forward forecast for the cruise ship looks good at this stage.”