Fuel Removal from Manawanui Phase2 Starts despite bad weather

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 18 January 2025 – Phase 2 of removing fuel and pollutants from the sunken HMNZS Manawaui is underway after the successful completion of the first cycle despite the impact of adverse weather conditions.

The diesel fuel removed in the first cycle is currently stored at the tanks at the Apia Port.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, Commodore Andrew Brown commended the completion of the first cycle.

He said in the latest update that it is very pleasing to see that the recovery of fuel and other pollutants from Manawanui has progressed despite the impact of adverse weather conditions.

Empty tanktainers were loaded on the barge before it was towed back above Manawanui in preparation for the start of the next cycle of fuel removal.

As of yesterday, the barge is positioned back above Manawanui where divers will prepare to hit the water to commence the second cycle of fuel removal.

He said the barge is expected to make a number of visits back to Apia to offload tanktainers between now and the end of the fuel removal phase.

“While the barge is away, the 2km safety buffer zone around the site remains in place to protect the anchors and buoys, and to ensure the safety of people who might be on the water in the area,” said Brown.

He also confirmed that offloaded tanktainers are being securely stored at the Apia Port before the fuel and other pollutants are transferred for processing and storage while disposal processes are worked through.

With rough weather recently, the team are taking every precautionary measures to ensure the smooth process of removal.

“During the complex and technical phase of fuel removal, the salvors have been continually advancing progress to further safely access more technically challenging aspects of the operation in order to extract more fuel and other pollutants,” said Brown.

It is noted that before Christmas, the Samoan Government reduced the prohibited zone allowing fishing to continue due to the results of water testing.

He said the prohibited area of 2km around Manawanui remains in place as a safety buffer zone to ensure safety while the fuel removal phase is underway and NZDF continues to support SROS sampling and monitoring plan and they are expecting further reduction of the precautionary zone after more tests.