Media Release
28 October 2011

Shipping company awaiting results of inspection

The company chartering the container ship Schelde Trader has said it is awaiting the results of a marine inspection before making any further decisions.

The Schelde Trader lost power while leaving Tauranga earlier this morning and drifted aground just north of North Rock. It was then towed to an anchorage point off Mount Maunganui by Port of Tauranga tugs.

Maersk Line New Zealand Managing Director Julian Bevis said the Schelde Trader was now back in port, and would be undergoing a thorough inspection.

“There is no suggestion of any fuel leak or similar issue; however, we will have a more complete understanding of what if any damage there is once the dive crew has given us a report,” he said.

Mr Bevis said a marine surveyor was also standing by to investigate the cause of the ship’s loss of power.

Maersk was also in close contact with the Schelde Trader’s owners, Dutch company Reider Shipping, and with Maritime New Zealand.

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