Cargo Ship "Rena"

The cargo vessel "Rena" has now been on the Astrolabe Reef for nearly a week. She carries 2,100 containers (some of which are empty). Professional salvors have been appointed under Lloyd's Open Form salvage contract.

Our understanding is that the salvors will attempt to remove the cargo to another to lighten the ship. There is a danger that the Rena may break from stresses induced during the grounding and some containers are already off the ship.

If you are a Gold Medal Vintage client and have cargo on board, please contact us immediately.

The vessel previously called at Bluff, Dunedin, Lyttelton, Wellington and Napier on an outward bound voyage.

Various Salvage Charges, payable to the salvors for saving cargo and pollution, are likely to be charged to Cargo interests, based on the salved value of cargo when landed. Also, a General Average is likely to be declared, adding additional costs.

Marine claim processes are document-centric and involve the giving of bonds by cargo owners (who may be the consignor depending on the terms of sale) and guarantees by insurers who may be based overseas. The documents we require immediately to determine who is responsible for this documentation are:

• Bills of Lading
• Commercial Invoices with terms of sale (FOB, CFR, CIF etc.)
• Insurance certificate
• Freight / shipping invoice
• Correspondence with the shipping company or freight forwarder
• Position of your cargo on board the vessel (if known)

Please send this to dan@icib.co.nz with "Rena" as the Subject.

If you have goods on board that were sent FOB or similar then the claim is the buyers responsibility, however it would be prudent to make contact with them to advise them to contact their insurer and supply the information detailed above.