LANDSIDE access to Vanuatu’s port of Port Vila is still obstructed following an earthquake on Tuesday, but plans to move cargo through an alternative entrance could see some operations continue, albeit slowly.
The earthquake damaged roads and bridges connecting both the airport and main seaport, according to the United Nations. Powerlines and telecommunication networks have also been affected. The death toll stands at 14 as of Thursday afternoon (19 December), with rescue efforts still underway.
Neptune Pacific Direct Line, in its latest notice to customers (19 December), said it is monitoring the situation as power is slowly restored to pockets of the city.
NPDL has been receiving regular reports from shipping agency Transam Vanuatu, which is based in Port Vila.
“The main road in and out of the international port remains blocked by a landslide but there are plans to open an alternative restricted gate operation to allow movement of cargo in and out of the port. We expect this to be a slow process,” NPDL said.
“Power to the port office (and computer systems) are currently down so everything is being handled manually, and our agency manager Stephen Blade is adapting to the ports needs to ensure our cargo keeps moving.”
NPDL said reefer plug capacity at the port is tight because road blockages and power outages mean consignees from the city are unable to receive chilled goods. Reefer containers at the port are “on power” while NPDL works on a solution to ensure it can accommodate customers’ needs.
“We still plan to complete our berthing in Port Vila for NPDL Tahiti Voyage 2427 but NPDL have made the decision to delay our arrival in Port Vila until after Christmas,” NPDL said.
The voyage was originally due to call Port Vila on 24 December.
“The new ETA will be the 27th of December and the vessel will be scheduled to work during the day and depart on the evening of December 27th. This will allow other ships to call if required.”
NPDL noted the Transam Vanuatu team “are all still safe and well”.
The international airport in Port Vila has been closed to commercial airlines, impacting air freight movements into the country (according to a 19 December notice from Qantas Freight).
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong in a post on X said Australia would help restore operations at the airport and that additional assistance would be provided, where possible, ahead of its reopening.
