Timaru Port Fire Update

Operations at the Timaru Port will pause for 24 hours while a fire on a fishing ship is fought. The fire on an 80-metre fishing ship remains contained within the vessel.

PrimePort Acting Chief Executive Nick Donaldson said operations will pause temporarily until about 10 am on Wednesday.

“The temporary pause will allow us to work through the options and assess the next steps. “

The focus at the moment is on cooling the ship with water and extinguishing the fire.

“We have the resources we need, including the Fire and Emergency New Zealand paid and volunteer firefighters, who are doing an amazing job. We also have a tug providing boundary cooling on the port side of the vessel,” said Mr Donaldson.

PrimePort will continue working with Environment Canterbury and Fire and Emergency New Zealand to monitor hazards, and to minimise environmental harm.

Environment Canterbury Harbourmaster Ian Fox said: “Once the fire is extinguished we will continue to work with PrimePort to manage navigation safety and environmental matters associated with any subsequent operations that may be needed.”

Another update will be issued tomorrow unless the situation changes substantially.

ENDS

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