Port of Tauranga has assured shareholders it has an oil response plan in place - with containment booms spread around the wharves on both sides of the harbour ready for use.
Mark Cairns, the port company chief executive, told the annual meeting in Tauranga the oil spill response capability was maintained through partnerships between Maritime New Zealand, regional councils and industry.
The Rena grounding on Astrolabe Reef became a Tier 3 response, controlled by Maritime NZ. On October 6, a day after the grounding, the director of Maritime NZ issued formal Section 248 notices under the Maritime Transport Act, declaring the Rena a hazardous ship and instructing that a reputable salvor be appointed.
Mr Cairns yesterday said the port controlled a Tier 1 response and worked with Bay of Plenty Regional Council at a Tier 2 level.
He said the port held 1360 lineal metres of containment boom and staff were trained to deal with Tier 1 responses and assist with Tier 2. The containment included 200 metres of rapid deployment boom, 600 metres of fence boom, and 560 metres of land/sea boom.