Vessel backlog at Napier Port after large swells could take a week to clear

Seven vessels remain in a backlog at Napier Port following large swells across the region. Photo / Warren Buckland

A backlog of vessels waiting to enter Napier Port after large swells throughout the region may take a week to clear.

Offshore swells reached 4-5m metres last week, with the port experiencing swells of 2m.

On Thursday, MetService said easterly swells reached 4m across Hawke's Bay.

Napier Port, which has been welcoming ships since 1855, remained open during the recent strong swells.

But according to a Napier Port spokesman, restricted shipping operations were implemented for the duration of the weather event.

A total of seven vessels remained anchored on Monday in a backlog following the swells.

"There is currently a backlog of vessels at the port, and we expect this to be cleared in about a weeks' time," the spokesman said.

The seven vessels in the backlog include six container ships and one logging vessel.

The spokesman said fixed-window arrangements are normally in place for container shipping services, but due to vessel schedule unreliability, all berth windows are suspended at Napier Port.

Container vessels will be worked on a "first to pilot station, first to work" basis until further notice.

Big swells over the weekend in Hawke's Bay. Photo / Janelle Reid

The anchored ships are the NYK Futago, IVS Merlion, Rio Blanco, Bomar Resilient, Neokastro, Kota Lembah and Rio Bravo.

The NYK Futago ship is due to depart the soonest, at 8pm on June 1, while the Rio Bravo container ship has an estimated departure time of 8.30am on June 7.

Napier Port uses a Dynamic Under Keel Clearance system to determine when it is safe to bring a vessel into port.

The system integrates real-time measurement of tide height and waves with modelled vessel motions to determine if a proposed transit for a particular vessel meets predetermined under-keel clearance safety criteria.

Operational parameters are also considered in the port's protocol as ships with a shallower draft may be able to come in safely ahead of ones with a deeper draft that may need to wait for swells to decrease further.