Maritime New Zealand has responded to a Mayday call from a controversial containership that has repeatedly run into trouble and almost grounded in the Port of Wellington.
The maritime authority reported early on Friday morning that the ship had again lost power and steering and was drifting outside the port, but that while it was listing there was no immediate danger. However, the captain said the vessel’s 24 crew were preparing to abandon ship.
According to Maritime Executive, conditions improved after the vessel’s captain issued the Mayday call and an ocean-going tug was dispatched to the scene. An Air Force Hercules and a rescue helicopter have also been dispatched, while a police launch is reportedly standing by.
The 18-year-old Singapore-registered containership Shiling (66 500 dwt) was released on Wednesday after a 24-day detention in April after she encountered a power failure while manoeuvring in the port’s main channel in Wellington just after leaving the berth. The vessel drifted dangerously across the harbour and was almost grounded.
Shiling was brought back to the dock where the regional harbourmaster for Wellington restricted her movements until engine repairs and tests could be done and manoeuvre tests had been completed to the satisfaction of the pilot. She was also restricted to sailing only in calm weather with the assistance of a tug to escort her to sea. Shiling has a history of troubles.
The vessel had a brief engine stoppage on February 11 in Wellington Harbour and an engine failure on July 4, 2022.
Local authorities speculated about the risk of a more serious incident after her latest detention in April.
Shiling was offloaded and the harbourmaster gave the all-clear for her to sail on May 9 on the understanding that the vessel would travel directly to Singapore for further repairs.
However, just hours after the ship ventured out to sea, she was sheltering after hitting rough seas with waves of up to 26 feet north of Marlborough Sounds. She is currently located approximately 22 nautical miles north-northwest of Farewell Spit at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island.
