New ship cuts refuel time at Tauranga Port
‘Bunkering barge’ to reduce congestion
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 Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited (Mobil) marine fuels customers.
Arriving from Australia, where it has been in operation since it was commissioned, the Korimako will start servicing vessels in Tauranga Moana from May 4.
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.”
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 lowsulphur fuel to both international and domestic vessels.
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, 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 Nga¯i Te Rangi Iwi Trust, following a blessing.
Alexandru said the vessel was extremely manoeuvrable, with a bow thruster enabling it to navigate narrow areas of the port.
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.”