It is still unknown when Wellington port's container operation will be fully restored.

The November earthquake severely damaged the wharf where two of the port's 720 tonne cranes sit.

CentrePort chief executive Derek Nind says a part of the container operation could be back up in running within 6 months.

He said work would begin next week on securing the cranes.

“We’re looking to put piles on the seaward and land side of the wharf and building a flat form to secure those cranes.”

Mr Nind said securing the cranes was the first step in getting the container operation back up and running.

He said it would mean the cranes could move just over 100 metres along the damaged wharf.

Prior to the November earthquake the cranes could move about 500 metres along the wharf.

Mr Nind said it had been a difficult time not having the container operation in action.

“I think it’s very important that the exporters and importers in New Zealand continue to operate and what they’ve been doing is using other ports and we understand the difficulties that creates for them. So we’ve seen a lot of our shipments having to road and rail the containers in and out of the region.”

Meanwhile, demolition on quake damaged Shed 35 is underway.

Contractors are continuing to contain asbestos in the heritage building’s roof so that the building can be brought down safely.

Wellington City Council has given CentrePort special powers to demolish it.

Until that happens, Shed 35’s cordon is in the way of Bluebridge’s cargo unloading.

Mr Nind said an alternative cargo route for Bluebridge was in place.

“Which is still slowing the unloading process for Bluebridge and still making some of those areas difficult so we’ve got a modified process in place which is helping but we do need to get that building down as fast as we can.”