Port of Tauranga assists reef-bound vessel, port operating normally

Port of Tauranga is assisting the rescue of a Mediterranean Shipping Company container ship stuck on a reef just outside the port’s piloted area, but is not affecting port operations, the company says.

Chief executive Mark Cairns said the port’s operations will not be affected by the rescue operation of The Rena, a container vessel which struck a reef about 12 nautical miles off the coast.

The Rena was heading for Port of Tauranga, New Zealand's largest export port, when it struck the Astrolabe Reef overnight. The incident occurred outside the port's piloted area and would not affect port operations, said Cairns.

Shares were unchanged at $9.81 in trading on the NZX this morning.

The port was assisting Maritime New Zealand and its pilot vessel had taken personnel to the site. MSC is owned by an Italian family and has a big Australian market presence. The company maintains a low public profile but has been expanding in the New Zealand market where shipping line Maersk Line is a big player.

MSC's head office in New Zealand is in Christchurch but it is using Port of Tauranga as a New Zealand hub where freight from six New Zealand ports is consolidated.

The Rena was not fully laden when it struck the reef. Maritime New Zealand said the 236 metre container ship struck the Astrolabe Reef around 2.20am. There are no reported injuries to the 25 crew on board.

The vessel was on a 12 degree list and two of its cargo holds were flooded. Tanks containing the ship’s heavy fuel oil were undamaged, Maritime New Zealand said.

But the Marine Pollution Response Service is mobilising along with the Maritime Incident Response Team, comprising technical maritime experts. Members of the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team are also on their way to Tauranga.

A maritime safety inspector is on board the vessel assessing the damage. The container ship has a draft of 10.4 metres, according to shipping records. The reef just breaks the surface at low tide and goes down to 37 metres, according to diving industry websites sites.

(BusinessDesk)

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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