The vessel will decrease congestion at the port while a spill container ensures no oil can get into the water. Photo / George Novak
The vessel will decrease congestion at the port while a spill container ensures no oil can get into the water. Photo / George Novak
The Port of Tauranga is now home to the only operating refuelling vessel in New Zealand said to decrease congestion and improve refuelling capability.
The nimble, 65m state-of-the-art "bunkering" barge, MT Korimako, will play a significant role in refuelling coastal traders, international cargo vessels and other large vessels for MobilOil New Zealand Limited (Mobil) marine fuels customers.
Arriving from Australia, where it has been in operation since it was commissioned, the Korimako – previously named the Anatoma – has been re-flagged to Aotearoa, and will start servicing vessels in Tauranga Moana from May 4.
65-metre state-of-the-art "bunkering" barge, MT Korimako is ready for operation in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak
A Port of Tauranga spokeswoman said the arrival of the barge meant larger container ships would be able to be refuelled while they are berthed on the container terminal side.
"At the moment, they would need to move over to the bunker berth on the Mount side to refuel."
Mobil lead country manager Andrew McNaught said the company commissioned the MT Korimako in Tauranga Moana to meet the needs of its customers.
"The ability to fuel vessels berthed at Sulphur Point as well as at the port's land-based refuelling berths will also reduce port congestion, as vessels will no longer have to wait for berth space to become available in order to simply refuel."
Andrew McNaught (from left), Chris Alexandru, Taz Tawhara and Reon Tuanau. Photo / George Novak
This was good from both an environmental standpoint and an efficiency outlook, he believed.
"In addition, the MT Korimako means ships can be refuelled while they are loading or unloading cargo."
McNaught said while there was less fuel entering the country at the moment due to travel restrictions, he wanted the barge in place before the revival of tourism and industry.
"We saw an opportunity to grow our business but to work with tangata whenua to make sure we had a fit-for-purpose service here in Tauranga. It's also going to be good for the local community in terms of employing people."
The new service will offer two grades of IMO-compliant low-sulphur fuel to both international and domestic vessels berthed at Sulphur Point.
Built in 2012 and operating since then without incident, the MT Korimako will be operated by Mount Bunkering Limited, a division of the ASP Ships Group.
Chris Alexandru with Silver Fern Shipping general manager Captain Keith Brown. Photo / George Novak
Chris Alexandru, master of the MT Korimako, has 25 years of experience in fuel tankers and bunkering vessels. He was onboard yesterday accepting a taonga from Reon Tuanau of Te Runanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust, following a blessing.
Alexandru explained the vessel was extremely manoeuvrable, with a bow thruster enabling it to navigate narrow or tricky areas of the port, and had on-board emergency spill response capabilities.
Mobil marine fuels sales manager Taz Tawhara said refuelling a vessel from the pipeline could take on average 14 to 16 hours.
"This will reduce that quite significantly. You're looking at eight to 10 hours. So it actually allows vessels to refuel while loading cargo but gives them an opportunity to leave quicker and on time."
Crew and Mobil staff enjoying a tour of the vessel. Photo / George Novak
About the MT Korimako (technical details):
Operator:
Mount Bunkering Limited (part of the ASP Ships Group)
• Capacity of 1.4 million litres of marine fuel (1,400 metric tonnes)
• Nominal pump rates of 300 tonnes per hour, per pump, and up to 600mt per hour total capability
• Full-time local crew of 5
• Will deliver two grades of IMO-compliant Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil [LSMGO], ~200mt DMA 0.001%S (marine gas oil), and ~1200mt DMB 0.01%S (marine diesel oil)
