New Zealand authorities have confirmed that a Singapore-flagged container ship that suffered a power failure last week is to be towed back to Wellington.
The incident involving the 5,117-teu panamax Shiling (built 2005) occurred on Friday and the anchor handling vessel Skandi Emerald (built 2011) was sent to assist, reaching the vessel late on that same day.
“The shipowner has been working to confirm a suitable location, [where] the vessel can safely anchor or berth,” Maritime New Zealand said. “Due to its size, and current location, the owner’s agent contacted Wellington’s CentrePort.”
Maritime NZ incident controller Kenny Crawford said the maritime incident response team is actively monitoring the situation.
“While the decisions around passage, anchoring locations and towage are managed by the owners of the Shiling, Maritime NZ has oversight, and is liaising with CentrePort and the Wellington Harbour Master to ensure the process is managed safely,” Crawford said.
“The Skandi Emerald is a very capable towage vessel, and its crew are highly experienced in traversing conditions such as what could be experienced in the Cook Strait.”
Maritime NZ said as the passage plan is developed, a risk assessment will be undertaken and the maritime incident response team will have oversight to ensure it is done correctly.
“Payment for the tow is managed by the Shiling’s owners and their insurers,” Maritime NZ said.
A formal decision has not yet been made on when the vessel will leave Tasman Bay, in the north of the South Island, or when it is likely to arrive in the nation’s capital.
“The Wellington Harbourmaster and CentrePort management are in regular contact with Maritime NZ about the Shiling’s passage to Wellington,” the maritime regulator said.
Maritime NZ said the 24 crew on board were safe, the ship was sound, and weather conditions in the area were stable.
The Shiling is owned by DP World’s Feedertech, with technical management provided by Singapore-based Asian-Alliance Ship Management (ASM).
The ship is entered with the Swedish Club and has had no port-state-control detentions on its record since 2014.
