Over 100,000 litres of fuel from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui has been removed in the authorities' efforts to prevent environmental damage.

The HMNZS Manawanui sank on October 6 off the south coast of Upolu. 

A barge belonging to the salvage company overseeing the operation arrived at Matautu port on Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of the fuel removal.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.), the extracted fuel was safely transferred to storage tanks at the port, with plans in place for a second round of fuel removal. 

The barge is expected to return soon to continue the critical operation.

The effort is being carried out by a joint team consisting of the M.W.T.I.’s Maritime Division, New Zealand Defence Force (N.Z.D.F.) personnel, and experts from the United States Coast Guard. 

Together, they are working diligently to pump out more than 200,000 litres of automotive gas oil and other pollutants from the wreck, which has been leaking hazardous materials since the vessel’s sinking. Initial reports suggested that there is more than 900,000 litres of fuel on board.

N.Z.D.F. Senior National Representative, Commodore Andrew Brown, explained that the fuel extraction process is a highly complex and technical operation. 

"There is a large quantity of automotive gas oil and other pollutants held in various locations throughout the ship," he said, emphasising that the removal could take several weeks to complete.

The extracted fuel and other pollutants will be stored in Apia, Samoa, while the New Zealand Government coordinates the next steps for its safe disposal. Commodore Brown stressed the importance of conducting a thorough and careful operation, particularly in light of the sensitive marine environment surrounding the wreck.

"This stage of the fuel removal process is extremely important to get right," said Commodore Brown. 

"While the salvage team works on extracting the fuel, our NZDF staff are continuing to collect seawater samples and monitor the area surrounding the wreck for any environmental impact."

Samoan authorities are leading the overall response to the incident, with the NZDF and salvors collaborating closely with the Government of Samoa to ensure the protection of the nation’s marine and coastal environments. Commodore Brown reiterated the shared concern for the environment, acknowledging the impact of the incident on local communities.

"We understand the concerns of the Samoan people about this incident and the importance of protecting the marine and coastal ecosystems," he said. 

"Minimising environmental damage remains our top priority, and the successful commencement of this fuel extraction is a significant milestone in that process."

The ongoing fuel removal operation represents a crucial step in mitigating the potential risks posed by the sunken Manawanui, and authorities remain committed to safeguarding Samoa’s natural resources throughout the recovery efforts.