Shipping incident in Tauranga Harbour

A small container ship struck the north-west rocks at the entrance to Tauranga Harbour this morning, the Regional Harbourmaster has confirmed.

The Schelder Trader is now safe and securely anchored in Tauranga Harbour and is not aground. There are no reports of injuries, damage to the vessel or any oil spill.

The vessel is 130m in length and was leaving the Port of Tauranga with a pilot on board and under escort by tug. It was not involved in the Rena salvage operations.

It will be dealt with as part of harbourmaster operations.

More details will be available shortly.