Fuel removed from Manawanui as Govt declares no backup for stricken ship

The initial phase of fuel removal from the New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui, which sank off the southwestern coast of Upolu in Sāmoa in October, has been completed.

The recovered fuel and pollutants are being offloaded in Apia, and the barge is set to return for more extraction cycles.

Commodore Andrew Brown, the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) senior national representative for Operation Resolution, said the barge would make multiple trips back to Apia to offload the extracted fuel.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress made, given the adverse weather conditions and their impact on the operation.

“This week, the salvors were able to manoeuvre the barge into the Port of Apia to offload tanktainers containing the recovered fuel and other pollutants,” Brown said in a statement.

These tank containers or tanktainers are being stored at the Apia port while disposal processes for the fuel and pollutants are being organised.

Brown said the salvage teams have faced technical challenges in extracting the remaining fuel and pollutants.

He said the Sāmoan government had expanded areas for fishing activities based on recent water testing results.

For safety reasons, a two-kilometre-restricted zone around the Manawanui remains in effect during the ongoing fuel removal.

The estimated cost of salvaging the HMNZS Manawanui could reach hundreds of millions of dollars, influenced by the specific circumstances of the wreck.

The salvage operation is partially covered by third-party insurance.

Photo/NZDF

Defence Minister Judith Collins could not provide details on costs due to commercial confidentiality, but she confirmed that third-party insurance is in place.

“The Defence Force is contributing significant staff and equipment,” she said, emphasising their partnership with insurers.

Brown reiterated that the primary aim is the safe removal of fuel, which has progressed well despite challenging weather.

He said that the contracts with the salvage companies focused on pollutant removal require that the Manawanui be left in its current state.

The New Zealand and Sāmoan governments are discussing the future of the Manawanui, and assessments are underway to determine whether it will be removed.

HMNZS Manawanui sinks off the coast of Upolu in Sāmoa in October. Photo/file

“We are prioritising these discussions as we consider the next steps following the fuel removal phase,” Brown said.

Recent seawater tests around the wreck showed low levels of hydrocarbons, with no increase in diesel fuel, which was welcomed news.

Collins also confirmed that the HMNZS Manawanui will not be replaced, saying the HMNZS Otago can take over many of the sunken vessel's previous responsibilities.

"The Otago has the necessary equipment and capability to fulfil most of the tasks that the Manawanui handled," she said.