Court hearing further milestone in Rena recovery

26 October 2012 – Today’s hearing in the Tauranga District Court represents a further milestone towards addressing the issues arising from the grounding of the Rena, its owners say.

Daina Shipping Company today pleaded guilty to a strict liability offence under the Resource Management Act for discharging a harmful substance into a coastal marine area.

Speaking from Athens, Mr Konstantinos Zacharatos again apologised on behalf of Daina Shipping Company to the Bay of Plenty community and people of New Zealand: “This occurred as a result of human errors. I apologise for the actions of the crew, the accident and any damage caused.”

“This is an accident no one wanted to happen but it did and consequently we take our responsibilities very seriously. Right from the start, Daina Shipping Company has used all resources available to it to address and limit any damage caused,” he said. “Together with the thousands of volunteers who assisted during the early days of this unfortunate event, we have managed to keep impacts contained to the absolute minimum, when you take into account what was at stake back then.”

Mr Zacharatos expressed gratitude for Maritime New Zealand’s acknowledgement in court of the owner’s commitment to do all things necessary since the outset.

This included the company’s full co-operation with New Zealand authorities, the expenditure to date of approximately $235 million on ongoing salvage and clean-up operations and the compensation payment to the New Zealand Government well in excess of the owner’s limit of liability under New Zealand law.

Daina Shipping Company and its insurers The Swedish Club have also moved to establish limitation funds in New Zealand and the UK to compensate cargo owners, businesses and others who suffered a loss from the grounding.

“With input from the local community, we are also moving to determine the most safe, practicable and responsible way to deal with the wreck. Dealing with the wreck should be the final chapter of the Rena accident,” Mr Zacharatos said.

ENDS

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