• Monitoring and surveillance of the HMNZS Manawanui continues.
• The main fuel tanks remain intact and any small leaks are being managed and contained.
• New Zealand Defence Force Senior National Representative, Commodore Andrew Brown said: “The New Zealand Defence Force is actively engaged in discussion on options for fuel removal from the ship, which remains our next priority.”
• “We are currently undergoing due diligence around contract negotiations and ensuring the Samoan authorities are fully involved in this process.”
• “We will provide updates once the contract has been signed and we will be able to provide details for the fuel removal plan as soon as it is available.”
• It is expected the process of fuel removal from HMNZS Manawanui will start this month. How long it will take will be dependent on external influences such as weather.
• Commodore Brown said: “As always our focus is on minimising any possible environmental impacts. This remains our absolute priority.”

Media in Samoa are invited to interview Commodore Brown. Please email media@nzdf.mil.nz

NZDF visuals of the response to the Manawanui incident are available here: https://nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf-samoa-media

Regular videos of Commodore Brown providing updates of the NZDF-led response are available here: https://nzdf.mil.nz/op-resolution

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