The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has recommended that New Zealand implement a ban on substandard ships based on clear criteria. This follows their investigation into the box ship Shiling, which required rescue and towing back to port twice in 2023.
Naveen Kozhuppakalam, the Chief Investigator of Accidents at TAIC, emphasized that these substandard vessels pose significant risks not only to their crews but also to New Zealanders who work in ports and harbors, including pilots, stevedores, and contractors. The safety of the coastal environment is also at stake.
According to the commission's findings, the Shiling had a troubling history of defects and was nearly unfit to operate in New Zealand waters. The first incident occurred on April 15, 2023, when the Shiling was departing Wellington under pilot guidance. As the ship was navigating the harbor channel, it suddenly lost all electrical power, causing the main engine to stop. Although the crew managed to prevent it from grounding by dropping both anchors, the vessel drifted toward shallow waters. Harbor tugs eventually towed the ship back for repairs.
Investigators determined that a cracked cylinder liner in one of the ship's auxiliary engines caused the blackout. Despite holding valid certifications from maritime authorities and classification societies, the Shiling had several critical safety systems in poor condition.
After repairs, the vessel departed Wellington again on May 12, 2023. However, while seeking shelter from inclement weather off the New Zealand coast, the ship entered the Tasman Sea and experienced another engine failure. This incident was caused by bilge water contaminating the lubricant oil, leading to another engine shutdown. The captain issued a Mayday call for assistance. A tugboat from New Plymouth came to the rescue, towing the Shiling to safety before bringing it back to Wellington for additional repairs.
TAIC reported that rubber diaphragms, which were supposed to keep water out of the lubricant oil tank, had degraded over time and likely went unchecked for years. After this second failure, Maritime New Zealand detained the Shiling for further repairs and inspections. The ship eventually left New Zealand waters for Singapore in July 2023.
The commission is now urging the Ministry of Transport to consider regulations that would empower Maritime New Zealand to prohibit certain vessels from entering the country's ports. Such authority is already granted to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Additionally, TAIC pointed out that New Zealand has limited towing and salvage resources. In the case of the Shiling, it was merely luck that a suitable tow vessel was available in New Plymouth when needed. Although the government has arranged for an open-ocean tug until June 2026 and is planning improvements in emergency towing, TAIC asserts that more effort is needed to establish a robust response system for maritime incidents and enhance rescue services.
TAIC also raised concerns about safety oversight regarding both international and local regulations for foreign-flagged ships. They highlighted the issue of ship owners transferring responsibility for safe operations to other companies without facing appropriate repercussions. TAIC has requested that Maritime New Zealand bring these issues to the International Maritime Organization for necessary changes.
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