Awanuia Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On July 13, 2017, the tanker 'Awanuia' experienced a significant incident when it allided with the quay at Wynyard Wharf in Auckland. The mishap occurred as the vessel was nearing the wharf for berthing, during which the ship unexpectedly lost power. This power failure culminated in the tanker effectively T-boning the wharf, resulting in considerable damage to the bow, which became holed above the waterline. Fortunately, the impact occurred at a slow speed, minimizing damage to the concrete structure of the wharf. Thankfully, there were no reports of any spill from the tanker following the collision. After the incident, the 'Awanuia' successfully completed its berthing at the Bledisloe Container Terminal. In the aftermath, the Port of Auckland initiated an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding this event. For further details and visual coverage, visit the reports on Stuff and NZ Herald.

In a significant development for the maritime sector, Ports of Auckland Limited has officially announced a new 10-year charter agreement with Z Energy for the fuel bunkering vessel Awanuia. This agreement is a result of the strategic collaboration with PB Bunkers BVI Ltd, established through their joint venture Seafuels. The partnership reflects a commitment to enhance fuel supply services at one of New Zealand's busiest ports, ensuring the seamless delivery of essential fuel services for the maritime industry. PortNews has reported on this milestone, highlighting the importance of this long-term agreement for future operations.

Svitzer Salvage BV's pursuit of justice regarding the fees incurred during the charter of the oil tanker "Awanuia" for the salvage operation of the stranded vessel "Rena" is set to continue, after the High Court in Wellington delivered a ruling in favor of the salvage company. This legal challenge stems from the events following the "Rena" running aground on the Astrolabe Reef on October 5, 2011, near the Port of Tauranga, which posed a significant risk of environmental disaster due to the vessel's 1,900 tonnes of fuel oil. Concerns over worsening weather conditions, combined with the logistical challenge posed by the vessel's refloating, compelled Svitzer to charter the "Awanuia"—the only tanker of its kind available in New Zealand—at what they now claim to be inflated prices. Svitzer alleges that the circumstances left them no real choice but to accept what they deemed exorbitant fees, which totaled nearly $9 million over the 43-day charter period. In a recently disclosed written judgment, Justice Lowell Goddard ruled on three out of six applications, allowing Svitzer's case to move forward while dismissing Z Energy as a defendant. Svitzer maintains that it was operating under extreme duress from Maritime New Zealand at the time of negotiating the charter, asserting that these pressures led to a contract with Seafuels Limited, the owner of "Awanuia," which Z Energy had long-term chartered. Z Energy took swift action to release the vessel, feeling a moral obligation to mitigate environmental risks, even at significant potential financial loss. The company's representative testified in court that they were proud to have facilitated Svitzer's swift charter arrangement, which included conditions ensuring Z Energy would not incur losses from the release. The financial terms of Z Energy's agreement required a weekly payment of $150,000 plus GST, alongside a provision for reimbursement of expenses capped at $100,000 weekly. However, Svitzer's arrangement with Seafuels was significantly costlier, costing between $187,000 and $200,000 daily, and exceeding the originally anticipated three to four-day charter duration due to inclement weather. The charter agreement was reluctantly signed on October 9, 2011, with Svitzer expressing their lack of alternatives and concerns about the legality of the contract regarding oil ownership. This was complicated by later negotiations with Z Energy, which secured an agreement for the oily recovery that altered Svitzer’s legal stance. Seafuels' final invoice to Svitzer stood at $8.88 million, with a substantial amount still unpaid. The salvage company has initiated legal proceedings to have the charter agreement annulled or amended under Article 7 of the International Convention on Salvage 1989, which empowers courts to modify contracts deemed inequitable. Judge Goddard's ruling allows Svitzer's litigation against Seafuels to proceed, dismissing most of Seafuels' attempts to strike out the action. However, the judge clarified that while Svitzer could advance its claims against Seafuels, Z Energy should not remain a defendant, as it was not directly involved in the contractual agreement with Svitzer.