Dockyard has proven itself as a viable alternative port to Hamilton’s docks — although strong winds hampered the offloading of containers yesterday for safety reasons.

The West End prepared at short notice for the MV Oleander, which was able to unload bulk and flatbed items.

Fifty-knot gusts from the west limited further unloading until conditions improved.

Meanwhile, imports are expected to resume at the Hamilton docks tomorrow, after critical repairs to the port’s surface were fast-tracked.

Hamilton had been originally slated for a full week’s refurbishment by Stevedoring Services because of health and safety concerns for staff.

An accelerated work schedule was on course to have the fresh dock ready for shipping tomorrow, when the MV Bermuda Islander arrives.

The Dockyard relocation marked a collaboration between Stevedoring Services, West End Development Corporation and Bermuda Container Lines.

Thanking the Stevedoring Services staff and their stakeholder, Warren Jones, the chief executive of Polaris Holding Company, said that while it would not be “a normal week in terms of imports”, the contingency plan allowed critical goods to be docked.

Mr Jones added: “Bringing this to fruition also allows us to document the steps and timeframe for the creation of a contingency port for Bermuda in any emergency where Hamilton would not be an option.”