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Lyttelton’s new cruise berth to open late 2020

Lytteltons new cruise berth
An image of Lyttelton’s new cruise berth to open in November next year
New Zealand’s first custom-built cruise ship facility is set to be opened by the Lyttelton Port Company in November 2020.

While smaller vessels have continued to visit, large cruise ships have been unable to berth at Lyttelton, the gateway to Christchurch, since the February 2011 earthquake.

The new cruise berth will be able to accommodate the full range of cruise ships, including those that carry more than 5,000 passengers.

70 bookings already

LPC Chief Executive Peter Davie said building of the cruise berth is on schedule and already 70 bookings for cruise ships for the  2020/21 season have been made.

‘It means Lyttelton will be able to berth a larger cruise vessel at the new cruise berth and still have smaller cruise ships in the inner harbour,’ Davie said. ‘We will be able to say yes to all cruise ships.’

He said passengers will be transported by bus into Christchurch and will be able to explore the newly-built Christchurch central city.

‘The investment in port facilities at Lyttelton is a further sign of the Canterbury region’s recovery and resurgence following the devastating 2011 earthquake in which the port experienced significant damage,’ Joel Katz, CLIA Australasia and Asia managing director, said.

Boost for itinerary planning

‘In addition to highlighting the region’s resilience, the facilities provide cruise operators with greater flexibility and choice in itinerary planning for the growing number of cruise visitors to New Zealand,’ Katz said.