Further to our earlier emails regarding the stranded vessel “Rena”, we are pleased to advise that we have settled a number of claims relating to refrigerated products on board, and have also received improved information on the general cargo.  

We are now in a position to be able to advise further on the status of clients' cargo on board the “Rena” and the claims process that will take place now that containers can be removed from the vessel.  

Currently we believe that all of our clients' cargoes are still aboard the vessel, although we do not have any detailed information regarding its condition. However, we have now received more accurate information on the location of cargo on board the ship, so we are better able to determine whether goods are on or under deck, and from this can estimate what their likely condition will be.  

As you may have seen in the media, containers are expected to come ashore intermittently, where they will be opened and inspected by the salvors (together with our surveyor) to determine the condition of the cargo inside.  

If the cargo is deemed to be a total loss, it will be dumped and we will look to arrange settlement with the appropriate party under their Lumley policy.  

In the event the cargo is either undamaged or only partly damaged, we will be contacting the client to discuss what action should be taken.  We expect the salvors will want payment for the release of the cargo to clients or us, but as yet don’t have an indication of how much that might be.  

This means it’s not currently possible to determine whether it is economically viable to pay for the salvage, any necessary reconditioning of the cargo and the costs of onforwarding.  It is very likely that the amounts will be different for each container and their contents depending upon its condition upon discharge.  Once we have details of the condition of those cargoes and the possible costs, we will be better placed to advise the options under the policy and seek your clients’ involvement.  

We will keep you updated on progress as we receive further information.  

If you have any queries relating to your client’s cargo on the “Rena”, please contact the Lumley Marine team on (09) 308 1100.