Tauranga undeterred by Rena disruption
Containers from the stricken Rena have been spotted off and removed off the Port of Tauranga. Image: Mark Alen
Containers from the Rena grounding finding their way into the shipping channels of the Port of Tauranga have so far been swiftly removed, the port has said.
Specialised sonar equipment is being used to sweep the main shipping channels since the incident, but despite this, debris from the vessel has still been sighted off the port.
Because of this, the decision was made to temporarily suspend marine operations overnight on 13 October, but shipping channels are now reported to be clear.
Mark Cairns, Chief Executive, Port of Tauranga said that they’ve had an excellent response from Maritime New Zealand and the Navy to ensure the continued operation of the port.
“While there may be times where we need to suspend marine operations for a few hours, we have the capability and the plans in place to ensure there will be no sustained business interruption. We would inform you if this position were to change.”
The Rena ran aground off the Tauranga coast in New Zealand last week. Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) estimates that the amount of oil escaped so far from the vessel so far is around 350 tonnes - there are currently two skimmer barges working in the harbour to pick up flotsam and two more in operation collecting oil.
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