Asia/Pacific News
Tauranga Harbour Bunkering Suspended in Wake of Bunker Spill Clean-Up
Mobil says the ongoing clean-up of a bunker spill three weeks ago in Tauranga Harbour in New Zealand is expected to shut down the wharf for several weeks, local media reports.
"We do not expect main wharf bunkering to be operational for several weeks yet," claimed Samantha Potts, Mobil New Zealand public affairs manager.
Ships reportedly are now refueling at a secondary location since the incident.
Mobil estimated that 1500 litres of fuel were leaked into the harbour when it was refueling a ship on Apr 27, 2015.
The oil line that leaked the fuel is reportedly to remain closed until assessments of the oil line failure were made and the line deemed fit for operation.
Mobil said they have arranged for oil line experts to assess the reason for its failure, a process that is excepted to take weeks.
"We will not recommence refueling from the bunker pipeline until we have full confidence in its integrity and that we have done everything we can to minimize the risk of another incident," said Potts.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council claimed that their investigation into this leak could warrant enforcement action against Mobil and regulatory change.
The costs of clean-up is estimated by the Regional Council to be "hundreds of thousands of dollars".
Mobil says it will cover the costs of the response to the spill by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and "reasonable costs" for cleaning and repairing directly affected property.
The firm has also set up a compensation claims process for damages due to the bunker spill, and to date it is understood to have received 104 claims.
Last month, Mobil said it was aware that several boats have been impacted by the spill.
