9 January 2012, 11.45 am

Port of Tauranga Status Update

There have been no significant changes to the Rena overnight and the weather and sea conditions have improved markedly.

We have had reports from the salvors of approximately 40 floating containers, generally in a contiguous area approximately 15 nautical miles northwest of the port. A number of containers are reported to have come ashore in the Waihi area but the majority of floating containers have been tagged and buoyed together and the salvors currently have a number of ocean tugs pulling them into deeper water.

We will continue with the regular magnetometer and sonar sweeping of the port channels. Ships arriving and departing from the port should exercise extreme caution and maintain a vigilant lookout.

The port currently remains fully operational.

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