More Crisis Off Tauranga, NZ with Another Grounded Containership

Press release from Maritime NZ at 11.40am

"A small container ship struck the north-west rocks at the entrance to Tauranga Harbour this morning, the Regional Harbourmaster has confirmed. The Schelder Trader is now safe and securely anchored and is not aground. There are no reports of injuries, damage to the vessel or any oil spill.

The vessel is 130m in length and was leaving the Port of Tauranga with a pilot on board and under escort by tug. It was not involved in the Rena salvage operations.

It will be dealt with as part of harbourmaster operations."

Press release from Port of Tauranga

"At 10.35 am today, the MV Schelde Trader, a 133 metre container vessel, lost power and went aground just north of North Rock around the base of Mount Maunganui, on departure from the Port of Tauranga.

The vessel has been re-floated and is under the control of tugs outside the harbour entrance. The vessel was towed into port by two Port of Tauranga tugs and was secured alongside the Mount Maunganui wharves at 3.45 pm.

We understand that the vessel owners have divers on standby to undertake underwater inspections of the hull and class surveyors will board the ship to undertake a survey of the vessel

It is planned to bring the vessel back into the harbour for inspection and investigation when it is safe to do so. No oil has leaked from the vessel."

 

Source: NZ Auckland Scoop