Diesel from sunk Manawanui stored at Apia wharf tanks

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 07 January 2025 – The first batch of more than 200,000 litres pumped from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui onto the salvage barge, will be transferred today to the storage tanks on the Apia wharf.

A report from the Salvaging company says after the transfer, the barge will return for a second round until the fuel from the vessel is completely removed.

Diesel from HMNZS Manawanui being pumped into tanks on the salvage barge.

The New Zealand Defence on the ground team are currently working with the US Coast Guard and the Samoa Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Transport Maritime Division.

The fuel will be stored in tanks at the Apia port while the New Zealand Government decides how and where to dispose it.

The removal of fuel and pollutants and salvage operations is expected to take several weeks and the success and speed of the work depends on the weather conditions as Samoa is well into the cyclone season.