Substandard ships should be banned from New Zealand, under appropriate criteria, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) highlighted in its report into the container ship Shiling, which twice had to be rescued and towed back to port in 2023.
According to Naveen Kozhuppakalam, Chief Investigator of Accidents, TAIC, substandard ships represent a real risk to their crew members, to New Zealanders – including coastal and harbour pilots, stevedores, and other contractors – and to New Zealand’s coastal environment.
The Commission found that the Shiling had a history of deficiencies and that it’s virtually certain the ship wasn’t seaworthy while in New Zealand.
…said Kozhuppakalam.
On 15 April 2023, the Shiling lost all electrical power while departing Wellington, causing its main engine to stop. After initial repairs, the ship departed again on 12 May but suffered another engine failure in the Tasman Sea due to bilge water contaminating its lube oil, prompting a Mayday call and a tow sailed from New Plymouth back to Wellington for further repairs.
Rubber diaphragms designed to prevent water from entering the lube oil tank had deteriorated with age. It’s very likely the diaphragms had gone uninspected for years.
…Kozhuppakalam commented.
Maritime New Zealand detained the Shiling for repairs and survey, and the ship eventually departed for Singapore in July 2023.
The Commission is calling on the Ministry of Transport to consider legislating to give Maritime New Zealand the authority to ban certain ships from New Zealand. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has this power
…the Chief Investigator underscored.
TAIC is also recommending improvements to New Zealand’s tow-salvage capability. According to Kozhuppakalam, the presence of suitable tow vessels in New Zealand isn’t guaranteed. It was just fortunate that a suitable vessel happened to be in New Plymouth and able to respond.
Furthermore, TAIC has also identified several safety issues relating to the international and domestic systems for regulating foreign-flagged ships, and the ability of ship owners to devolve their responsibilities for safe operations to third parties without regulatory consequences and has made recommendations to Maritime New Zealand to address these matters through the International Maritime Organization.
The Commission is aware that the government has contracted an open-ocean tug until June 2026, and that a business case is underway to explore emergency towing capability. This is an important safety issue, so TAIC recommends continuing work to develop and implement a comprehensive maritime incident response strategy and to strengthen salvage and rescue capability.
…highlighted Naveen Kozhuppakalam.
