Rescue plan underway to tow damaged container ship back to port

New Zealand officials are working with the owners of the Shiling, a container ship that lost power in rough seas off the northern coast of the country, to tow it back to port and effect repairs. The 66,5000 dwt vessel was located in a safer position at the head of Tasman Bay after the mayday call on May 11. After it was believed the ship’s issues had been fixed, it was cleared to leave Wellington Harbor and head to Singapore for further repair work, but the Shiling again suffered engine problems, leading to it being towed to its current position. 
 
Previously, the ship had suffered an outage in February and July, along with the breakdown in April. Lloyd’s Register, the ship’s class society, has confirmed the temporary repairs carried out in New Zealand had given it sufficient power to sail to Singapore for further work. The owners and their insurers will bear the cost of the towing, which Port of Wellington officials are concerned could severely disrupt the terminal. The next possible weather window for the ship to come to port might be Friday, according to current forecasts.

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