NZ - Lyttelton - Emergency dredging Campaign April - May 2026

Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) has commenced an interim emergency dredging campaign to restore its main shipping channel following exceptional sediment infill driven by a series of extreme weather events.

What Happened

Since the completion of LPC's scheduled maintenance dredging in November 2025, close to one million cubic metres of material have been deposited into the channel — well above the typical annual infill of 600,000 to 800,000 cubic metres.

The most significant single event occurred on 27 March 2026, when a subtropical low-pressure system struck the South Island's east coast, depositing more than 430,000 cubic metres of sediment within days. Prolonged large sea states from January through April 2026 compounded the issue, further restricting vessel movements and accelerating channel infill.

In some areas, depth loss is now imposing tidal constraints on vessel access.

Dredging Operations

The Dutch dredging vessel Elbe has been deployed to address high spots and restore safe channel depths. LPC expects the campaign to take three to four weeks from commencement in late April 2026.

Simon Munt, Chief Customer and Supply Chain Officer at LPC, described the scale of infill as "well outside what we would normally expect," and confirmed the work is critical to maintaining safe and reliable port operations.

Implications for Importers and Exporters

• Vessel scheduling through Lyttelton may be subject to tidal windows during dredging operations
• South Island cargo movements — particularly containerised freight — could experience delays or revised berthing windows
• Customers with time-sensitive or high-volume cargo should engage their freight forwarder now to assess contingency options
• Air freight, alternative port routing, or adjusted cut-off planning may be relevant for critical shipments

What KLN Oceania Is Doing

Our team is actively monitoring developments at Lyttelton and maintaining communication with carriers and port contacts. We will provide updates as conditions and scheduling clarity evolve.

If your supply chain has exposure to South Island freight movements, contact your KLN Oceania account manager to discuss planning options.