Mobil Apologises After Being Identified as Source of Tauranga Bunker Spill

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday April 29, 2015

International fuel company Mobil has apologised after it was identified that a recent bunker spill in New Zealand occurred while the company was refueling a ship at the Port of Tauranga, local media reports.

An unknown amount of bunker fuel was leaked into the harbour Monday morning after the fuel escaped from an oil line.

Bunkering operations were said to have been quickly halted once workers noticed the leak, with the pipeline reportedly to remain shut down until repairs are made and an investigation can be carried out. 

"We apologise for the incident and for any concern and inconvenience caused to the community," said Mobil Oil New Zealand Lead Country Manager Andrew McNaught in a public statement.

"We would like to assure them we are working as quickly as possible to safely manage the situation, to clean up the leaked fuel oil and minimise the impact on the environment."

The company said that it has set up a claims process for damages stemming directly from the spill. 

"We are aware that several boats have been impacted by the fuel oil," McNaught said. 

"Mobil is liaising with the local marina operator about boat cleaning procedures."

Earlier this week, the regional council also urged boaters and beach-goers to report sightings of spills on the water or on the shore so that authorities could understand where the fuel was spreading.