18 October 2011

MSC commits aid to help environmental clean-up

Statement from Kevin Clarke, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC):

"We are deeply concerned about, and saddened by, the environmental damage, economic impact and disruption to lives caused by the accident involving the Rena.

"We acknowledge the distress and concerns of local residents, iwi, businesses and individuals, as well as those with cargo aboard the vessel. Our own staff in Tauranga are part of the local community and are as concerned about the grounding and its implications as everyone else in the Bay of Plenty and throughout New Zealand.

"We wish to emphasise that MSC does not own the Rena, we did not employ its crew and we are not responsible for the maintenance and operation of the vessel. From the outset we have been working behind the scenes with the authorities, including Maritime New Zealand and Port of Tauranga. We have put our resources at their disposal and have been in constant contact with the Rena’s owners Costamare.

"At our meeting with the Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce, yesterday we discussed other ways in which we might support the cleaning operation. Today we thus want to put at the disposal of the relevant authorities NZ$1 million as a voluntary donation.

"We also would like to thank the professionals and the dedicated volunteers who are helping and spearheading the cleaning."

ENDS

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