Beleaguered bulk carrier departs Port of Tauranga

The ageing vessel was carrying logs from China Forestry Group Corporation NZ when it lost its rudder. (Image: Kiwi Does Stuff, Facebook screenshot)

Oliver Lewis

Fri, 05 Jan 2024

Five months after it lost its rudder, triggering maritime investigations and a commercial dispute over its cargo of logs, the Achilles Bulker has finally left Port of Tauranga.The ageing bulk carrier, which has been shuffled between berths since July 24, departed the port on Thursday, towed by the Vallianz Prestige. According to the Port of Tauranga website, the two ships were en route to the Chinese city of Zhoushan. However, Marine Traffic, a ship tracking website, said the next port of call was in Indonesia.After the mishap with its rud...

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