Maritime New Zealand has lifted the detention order it previously imposed against the Singapore-flagged container ship, Shiling.
This means the vessel, which sailed from New Zealand on Friday, satisfied the imposed conditions to depart for Singapore.
Over the last three months, the Shiling broke down twice in and around New Zealand waters, resulting in two stays in Wellington while repairs were undertaken.
While the imposed conditions have been satisfied, the Shiling’s owners have agreed to have the vessel escorted by the MMA Vision (a vessel capable of emergency towage) to 200 nautical miles off New Zealand’s coast.
“This is an extra layer of protection to keep the crew on the vessel and New Zealand safe,” Maritime NZ’s deputy chief executive for Regulatory Operations, Deb Despard, said.
“Maritime NZ wants to assure people in New Zealand, that we have taken this vessel’s issues very seriously,” he said.
Over the last week and a half, the Shiling has undertaken a range of trials to show it can satisfy the necessary requirements to be released from its detention.
“These started with testing the engine alongside the berth at CentrePort, then progressing to harbour trials and finally an open sea trial south of Wellington, with a tug escort throughout,” Despard said.
The trials were overseen by the vessel’s classification society and an overseas technician for the main engine manufacturer.
“These played a key role in checking the vessel for issues and reassuring us and other parties involved that the vessel has satisfied the conditions previously imposed, and can undertake the journey to Singapore,” Despard said.
The process around managing the Shiling has involved a range of organisations, from Maritime NZ as the local regulator, its counterpart in Singapore, the Wellington Harbourmaster, CentrePort as well as private companies, including towage providers, insurers and the owners of the vessel.
Maritime NZ said it would continue to monitor the vessel’s movements out of New Zealand waters. The vessel’s flag state ordered that it travel directly to Singapore.
