Bunkers Spilled during fuel transfer at Whangarei Harbour
A cargo ship spilled its bunkers during a fuel transfer to Ningpo at a berth of Northport.
A cargo ship carrying bunker fuel was berthed at Northport in the country’s Whangarei Harbour. The vessel was engaged in fuel transfer. During the transfer the pipeline for bunkering broke, spilling an unknown quantity of fuel into the water.
New Zealand authorities have begun the clean up operations. Local authorities have dispatched two oil collection boats to start water cleaning and to prevent further contamination to the nearby coastal region. Specialised oil containment booms had been put in place around the multipurpose cargo ship.
It is reported that some oil has already reached the shore at Marsden Cove.
The vessel is detained for further inspection and investigation into the cause of the spill.
Regional Harbourmaster for the Northland Regional Council, Jim Lyle, said “We will focus on following investigation for the cause of the incident and to protecting the local environment” .
Source : Ship & Bunker
