Media Release
Seafuels Limited
8 October 2011
Awanuia fuel tanker to sail for Bay of Plenty this afternoon
The Awanuia fuel tanker will sail for the Bay of Plenty to assist in the salvage of the Rena this afternoon, after discharging her current load of fuel oil at Marsden Point.
The Awanuia is owned by Seafuels, a joint venture company between Ports of Auckland and Pacific Basin, one of the world’s leading
shipping companies. In normal circumstances the vessel is under time charter to Z Energy to provide a re-fuelling
service for cruise ships and commercial vessels calling at the Port of Auckland.
Wayne Mills, Chairman of Seafuels and General Manager Multi-Cargo and Marine at Ports of Auckland, said Z Energy had
agreed to release the Awanuia from its time charter in order to facilitate the tanker's participation in the salvage operation.
"We are happy to provide whatever assistance we can," Mr Mills said.
The Awanuia departed Auckland on Friday afternoon and has proceeded to Marsden Point to discharge her current load and create room
for the fuel from the Rena. She will depart Marsden Point at 1 pm today and is expected to arrive at the Rena on Sunday morning.
The 80 metre, 3,900 tonne fuel tanker was purchased new by Seafuels in 2009. The tanker, which has a capacity of 25,000
barrels of oil, has state-of-the-art operational and environmental design features, including a double hull
construction.
Mr Mills said Ports of Auckland was working closely with its customers and Waterfront Auckland to provide alternative
re-fuelling arrangements for incoming ships.
The Ports of Auckland tug the Waka Kume arrived in Tauranga early this morning to assist with the salvage operation.
ENDS
Pacific Basin Shipping Limited is one of the world’s leading commercial dry bulk shipping companies focusing in
handysize and handymax sectors. In addition, the Group is building businesses in towage, roll-on roll-off shipping and
maritime services.
Ports of Auckland Ltd is New Zealand’s most important port, handling around 900,000 TEU (20ft-equivalent units), more
than 1,400 ship calls and 3.5m tonnes of break-bulk (non-containerised) cargo per annum. It is New Zealand’s leading
import port and a key partner to export and import industries, as well as New Zealand’s premier cruise port and vehicle
import gateway. Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Council Investments Ltd.