Work on Port Otago's channel deepening project ''Next Generation'' is well under way, but poor weather in recent months has put pressure on the timetables of some projects.
Four projects are under way in the overall $30 million capital expenditure programme, in expectation of the arrival of bigger container ships in the near future, including two warehousing builds and channel and berth deepening.
Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket said ''average winter weather'', being colder and wetter than expected, had slowed some projects by up to two weeks, but otherwise all were ''on target'', and only minor alterations were under way to make up lost time.
Actual dredging of parts of the 13km shipping channel between Port Chalmers and Taiaroa Head had not begun, as Port Otago's dredge New Era was away on its annual two-month contract to work at Lyttelton.
However, Mr Plunket said, at present soundings were being taken of the areas to be dredged for the less than $8 million project and the first stage, to deepen to 13.5m, is expected to be done by the end of December.
Concrete pours for the $8.5 million expansion of warehousing at Back Beach had been delayed because of cold weather, but had since been completed.
Space at Back Beach will be increased from 22,000sq m to 31,000sq m.
He said the project, which creates a new shed by ''filling in'' between the D and E sheds, was now beginning its roofing stage, and might pick up some lost time.
Its completion has been delayed from November 30 to the first week in December.
Mr Plunket praised contractors Calder Stewart and Daniel Smith Industries, for adapting their ''work campaigns'' in response to the poor weather conditions.
Of the $2 million wharf extension project, which is 50% complete, Mr Plunket said more rock had been discovered along the length of the wharf than expected, at 10m-15m below the seabed, which meant sheet piling had lost about two weeks of progress.
It had been due to be completed by the end of October, and if the new finish date of November 2 could not be met, two cruise ships arriving on the same day would have to be accommodated elsewhere at Port Chalmers.
''We've already got contingency plans in place to handle that,'' Mr Plunket said.
At Sawyers Bay, the $4 million new warehouse work programme was still on track, Calder Stewart had established itself on site and will add 3800sq m of space to the facility, which is largely for pre-export preparation of dairy products.
Mr Plunket said the warehouse was expected to be completed by late December, but it required food compliance certification from the Ministry for Primary Industries and was not expected to be open until February.
In Port Otago's presentation of its full-year report to 100% owner the Otago Regional Council earlier this month, chairman Dave Faulkner also noted the last payment had been made for the new $11 million tug Taiaroa, and a barge to assist with seabed spoil removal.
