Lyttelton

Size limits

Max LOA 362m, beam 42.80m, draught 13.40m and 80,454DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS 2.3m; MHWN 1.3m. Tidal streams are weak in the harbour, except near the entrance of inner harbour where rates up to 1kt are not uncommon.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The harbour is approached through Pegasus Bay, between Motunau Island (43°04'S., 173°05'E) and East Head (43°46'S., 173°08'E) of Banks Peninsula.

Entry is between Godley Head (43°35.3'S., 172°48.5'E) and Adderley Head, 1.3nm SE.

Following completion of the major dredging of the Approach Channel, depth has been increased to between 17m and 18m. Mariners are advised to refer to the LPC MPX for a summary of the typical passage plans and navigational aids.

Pilots may check with Bridge Crews relevant navigation materials are available onboard and that documentation has been, or is, updated accordingly. Port documentation is now available in electronic format (http://www.lpc.co.nz).

Port limits

Arc of a circle radius 3nm centred on Adderley Head (43°36.3'S., 172°49.6'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

There are no traffic schemes in operation, however, no vessel must take up a berth unless signalled to do so from the signal station.

Anchorages

The main anchorage given for vessels waiting to berth is a combined general and quarantine anchorage located in position 43°33.0'S., 172°50.0'E, approx 2.5nm bearing 026° from Godley Head.

Restrictions

Vessels must proceed at a moderate speed when passing Cushin Quay.

Submarine Exercise Areas are located in the waters in around Pegasus Bay and as a result, vessels are encouraged to use the appropriate discretion when approaching the area

from seaward. Additionally, a submarine pipeline extends approx 0.3nm W of the Inner Harbour.

Tugs

Berthing is aided by two Azimuth Stern Drive tugs: Blackadder, with a bollard pull of 62.5t, and Piaka, with a bollard pull of 70t.

Mooring

Rope mooring lines preferred.

The port operates a Dynamic Under Keel Clearance system and is used to predict a particular vessel’s UKC based on a vessel’s dimensions and stability, the prevailing environmental conditions, predicted vessel speeds and a detailed profile of the Lyttelton Harbour approach channel.

Portside berthing preferred at the Container Terminal.

Charts and publications

NZ6321 (Lyttelton Harbour). Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA Lyttelton Marine Services Section, including maximum draught, 24 and 4 hours before arrival. To ensure berth availability, inward vessels are required to give at least 24 hours notice of ETA followed by a 4 hour notice of ETA. The port provides a Standard Passage Plan Pack for all vessels to the harbour.

Communications

Radio: Inmarsat communication is available.

Lyttelton Harbour Radio contact info

VHF: Ch 12, 16 (Emergency), 63 (use if no response on other channels)

Maritime Team contact info

Telephone: +64 3 328 7804

Email: [email protected]

Harbour Control contact info

VHF: Ch 12

Telephone: +64 3 328 7806

Harbour Master contact info

Telephone: +64 3 328 9168

Email: [email protected]

Standard messages

Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or on arrival at the pilot station.

Documents

A Vessel Arrival Information Sheet (VAIS) must be completed by the Master of the vessel and emailed to the port ([email protected]) 48hrs prior to arrival. The VAIS requires the following information and is available on https://www.lpc.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240521-VAIS-V8.pdf along with other related Port Forms which may need to be completed.

DUKC: For all vessels with a draught of 11m or above, a compulsory DUKC form should be completed and returned to the Marine Team no later than 12 hours in advance of intended arrival or departure. The form is available on http://www.lpc.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190325-LPC-DUKC-ArrivalDeparture-Request-Form.pdf along with other related Port Forms which may need to be completed.

PORT COMPUTERISED SYSTEM: Port documentation is now available in electronic format. Marine Services are offered 24/7, with a 'one-stop-shop' booking facility for all vessels and shoreside requirements. With a single phone call, e-mail or facsimile, customers can confirm pilots, tugs, lines, security, garbage disposal, telephone and water requirements prior to arrival. Dry dock bookings and marine safety are also part of the marine services provided.

Special forms: Hazardous Cargo and Cargo Plan should be sent to Port Company 48 hours prior to arrival.

Agents will provide a full set of forms for next voyage or will send on request.

Health

Pratique can be applied for between 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.

Vessels liable to quarantine are required to anchor in the outer anchorage while awaiting inspection.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Normal Customs/Immigration formalities apply. Visa, if required, can be applied for on arrival. All crew/passengers will require a shore pass.

The Duty Free Allowance for Tobacco is 50 cigarettes (or 50g of cigars or tobacco products) and a total of 4.5 litres of wine or beer (or 3 bottles, or other containers, of spirits or liqueur, each holding a maximum of 1.125 litres).

Notices and regulations

Regional Council By Laws apply.

Masters exempt from pilotage must contact the signal station at least five minutes before sailing.

Tankers may load or discharge at night but hoses are not to be disconnected without permission from the Port Authority.

Engines may be immobilised while berthed at the Oil Tanker Wharf, only after permission has been given by the Port Authority.

Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

Inspection of ships in New Zealand

Maritime Safety Authority

PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 382 8198.

Fax: +64 4 382 4934.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.

Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.

Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 471 5366.

Fax: +64 4 494 1270.

Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

The port offers a complete service for industrial or marine construction, steel fabrication, machinery design and repairs and electrical contracting. Vessel repairs include and not limited to; propeller shaft and rudder overhauls and replacements, hull and structural repairs, engine work, painting, shipwrighting and electrical work. Repair work may be carried out alongside, including major refit or vessel modification, or on voyage if required. Container repair also available. Services are performed by Lyttelton Engineering. For any hot work, prior notification must be given via the ship's agent or the Harbour Master. The fabrication shop is equipped with 2 x 10t overhead cranes, 3.6m wide heavy arc welding machinery, 650t press brake and a 3m wide heavy plate roller.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available via 24hr prior notice.

Bunkers: Fuel bunkering facilities available from the Bulk Liquid Terminal Quay. Max loading rates: Light fuel oil 90tph and marine diesel 85tph.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Lyttelton Health Centre (1km) and Christchurch Hospital (11km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Christchurch International Airport (19.75km).

Nearest highway: The port has direct access to State Highway 74. The road travels 28.4km North to South from Lyttelton to Christchurch.

Nearest railway: Rail access to Cashin Quay and Berth No 7 East.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Lyttelton.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for stevedoring services and the arrival and departure of vessels.

Where it is

Lyttelton is situated on the E coast of Te Waipounamu/South Island, approx 12km from Christchurch, New Zealand.

The port

The sheltered port of Lyttelton is the deepest commercial port servicing the Te Waipounamu/South Island of New Zealand. The port is capable of handling large container vessels, liquid cargo tankers, bulk coal carriers, PCC and cruise vessels.

Lyttelton, operated by the Lyttelton Port Company, is home to New Zealand's first-ever purpose-built cruise ship facility and is complimented further by its ability to handle a range of cargoes including: containers, reefer, scrap metal, forest products, liquid cargo, breakbulk and coal. The port boasts a drydock, cold ironing facilities and a wide range of modern cargo handling equipment.

An efficient network of road and rail links allows the fast and effective movement of cargoes of virtually any size or shape.

Lyttelton also has two inland port areas; the new Midland Port at Rolleston and City Depot in Woolston.

Traffic

Approx 3,700,000t, 450,000TEU, 1,000 vessels and 1,300,000t of coal are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Lyttelton?

Compulsory pilotage required for vessels over 500GT or over LOA 40m, unless exempt.

What time zone is Lyttelton in?

Local time at Lyttelton is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Lyttelton?

The deepest berth listed is at Lyttelton Container Terminal (Cashin Quay): 13.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lyttelton?

1025.

Which load line zone is Lyttelton in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Lyttelton?

Port State Control at Lyttelton: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lyttelton?

The UN/LOCODE of Lyttelton is NZLYT.

What crews who called at Lyttelton say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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