Plans to refloat the stranded Hong Kong ship Tai Ping, which ran aground in New Zealand waters this week, continued yesterday despite bickering between the ship's owners and local maritime authorities.
Chris Lo, general manager of Fenwick Shipping Services, which manages the ship, said some of the fertiliser cargo was removed to lighten the vessel and reduce the risk of pollution.
Mr Lo said salvage workers were hoping the reduced weight would allow them to tow the 16,041-tonne ship off rocks near Bluff Harbour on the South Island.
The Guangzhou-built carrier, registered in Hong Kong, ran aground in thick fog on Tuesday while leaving the harbour en route to the southern port of Littleton. The ship's crew of about 20 mainlanders and two Indians were unhurt.
Mr Lo said fuel oil was also pumped from the bottom tanks of the ship to higher tanks in case the vessel was further damaged during the salvage.
He said it could take two to three days before the Tai Ping was ready to be towed off the rocks.