A recent death at the Ports of Auckland is having a longer-term impact on shipping lines

Shippers Council chairman Simon Beale says due to operational changes after the death, some vessels are going to Tauranga instead.

But he says some cargo still needs to get to Auckland - and getting it there can mess with rail movements.

Beale says it could take until Christmas to clear backlogs, and also take some time to repatriate containers back to ships.