New Zealand Takes Action Against Subpar Vessels Following Series of Containership Failures

According to a report from the Transport Accident Inquiry Commission (TAIC) of New Zealand,there’s an urgent need for legislative reforms aimed at prohibiting subpar vessels from operating in the nation’s waters. This call comes on the heels of troubling incidents involving the containership Shiling throughout 2023. Despite having valid certifications, this ship faced two notable mechanical failures within just two months.

The first mishap took place on April 15, when the Shiling lost all electrical power while leaving Wellington Harbor. This blackout stemmed from a cracked cylinder liner in one of its auxiliary generators, which ultimately led to a failure of its main engine.To avoid running aground, crew members had to drop anchors and request assistance from harbor tugs that brought them back safely to port.

Just weeks later, on May 12, another serious issue arose as the vessel entered Tasman Sea waters after departing Wellington. The main engine failed again—this time due to bilge water contaminating its lubricating oil—prompting a Mayday call and requiring rescue by another vessel capable of towing it back.

Naveen Kozhuppakalam, TAIC’s Chief investigator of Accidents, pointed out that these incidents highlighted alarming maintenance oversights. He noted that rubber diaphragms meant to keep water out of the lube oil tank had likely gone unchecked for years due to age-related deterioration.

The investigation underscored how substandard ships can endanger various stakeholders including crew members and environmental safety along New Zealand’s coastlines. Following these events, Maritime New Zealand detained the Shiling for necessary repairs before it eventually set sail for Singapore in July 2023.

This situation has exposed significant weaknesses within New Zealand’s maritime safety regulations. TAIC is advocating for enhanced powers similar to those held by Australia’s Maritime Safety Authority so they can effectively ban certain vessels deemed unsafe.

Moreover, these incidents have revealed gaps in maritime rescue operations; fortunately for Shiling’s crew, there was an appropriate tow vessel available nearby in New Plymouth during their crisis. In response to this vulnerability,the government has secured an open-ocean tug contract lasting until June 2026 and is working on plans aimed at bolstering emergency towing capabilities.

Beyond immediate operational issues are deeper systemic challenges within both international and domestic regulations governing foreign-flagged ships.A major concern lies with ship owners being able to offload their safety responsibilities onto third parties without facing any regulatory repercussions.

TAIC’s recommendations go further than merely banning substandard vessels; they emphasize ensuring that ship owners remain accountable for risks associated with their operations while also enhancing salvage and rescue capabilities across New Zealand’s maritime landscape.