A containership stranded off New Zealand's North Island is in danger of breaking up and spilling oil into the Bay of Plenty, Seatrade Asia online reports. The 47,000 dwt Rena hit a reef off the North Island earlier this week and spilled an oil slick more than 5km long. The ship still carries some 1,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil onboard.
Nick Smith, New Zealand's environment minister, said the accident has the “potential to be New Zealand's most significant maritime pollution disaster in decades.”
Salvage teams were deployed to remove oil from the stricken vessel and sprayed dispersants from aircraft to shrink the oil slick.
It remains unclear why the containership ran aground in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Nick Smith, New Zealand's environment minister, said the accident has the “potential to be New Zealand's most significant maritime pollution disaster in decades.”
Salvage teams were deployed to remove oil from the stricken vessel and sprayed dispersants from aircraft to shrink the oil slick.
It remains unclear why the containership ran aground in the early hours of Wednesday morning.