The Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel Shiling is to undertake harbour trials as planning continues for its departure from Wellington.
The vessel lost power twice in New Zealand, over the last three months; initially in mid-April, and then after its subsequent departure on 12 May. On 23 May it was towed back to Wellington. After the Shiling returned to Wellington, Maritime NZ issued a detention notice against the vessel, which included stringent conditions it has to meet prior to departure.
This has been an ongoing process involving us, the vessel, its owners and their agents, insurers, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Shiling’s classification society, the Wellington Harbourmaster, CentrePort and related organisations such as towage providers.
… said Maritime NZ’s Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Operations Deb Despard
Maritime NZ noted that the owner of the Shiling continues to be responsible for the management of the issues with the vessel, as well as meeting the conditions imposed by Maritime NZ, the Marine and Port Authority of Singapore and the vessel’s classification society.
According to Maritime NZ, work to understand and remedy the vessel’s issues has been ongoing for more than a month. It has included the vessel’s owner bringing in experts from overseas, including engineers from the manufacturer of the engine, and working with its classification society to ensure the necessary work is carried out effectively and safely.
We do not want to see a repeat of what we saw in April and May with this vessel, that is why we put a significant number of stringent conditions in place
… added Deb Despard Maritime NZ’s Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Operations
Maritime NZ will be closely monitoring the trials and its departure out of New Zealand.
Dates for the sea trial and the vessel’s departure for Singapore are yet to be confirmed, and will be determined by feedback from the trials, conversations with other relevant parties and the weather.
