This afternoon, the Prime Minster announced that New Zealand is moving to a Level 3 and will shortly be at Level 4 of the COVID-19 alert system. Please be assured that as an essential lifeline service, Napier Port will continue to operate, ensuring Hawke’s Bay remains connected to the global supply chain.
We are putting business continuity plans into place to ensure that we are prepared for a range of scenarios. We’re focused on making sure our people stay well, our customers are informed, and essential cargo can continue to flow in and out of the port.
Protecting our teams
We’re conscious that keeping our people fit and healthy for work is vital to keeping the supply chain running, and we’re putting safeguards in place. Our Marine personnel have been utilising extended PPE and hygiene kits since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, and critical teams have been separated across the port to minimise contact. We are now restricting all visitors to the port.
Prioritising essential cargoes
We’re also planning for scenarios where our workforce is operating at a reduced capacity, we start to see blank sailings, or shipping lines begin to overbook cargo. In these situations, we’ll be in constant contact with shipping lines about the number of containers we are able to handle in upcoming exchanges and will keep our cargo customers informed. If the number of containers needs to be reduced, your shipping line will be in contact to advise which cargoes will be prioritised.
Keeping you informed
We’ll be staying in touch as the situation evolves, and will be sending further updates like this. If there’s anyone else in your business who would like to be on our mailing list, please send their name and email to communications@napierport.co.nz.
If you have any questions, please contact our Commercial team on commercialdepartment@napierport.co.nz, but bear in mind that they may be busy with many customer enquiries.
