Salvage experts are due to complete a comprehensive sonar sweep of the seabed area surrounding the Rena wreck.
The sweep has spanned about 800 sqm, where it was believed Rena containers and large debris were most likely to be located.
This area includes the Astrolabe Reef and areas closer to shore, Port of Tauranga shipping lanes and the seabed near Matakana and Motiti Islands.
Next week a Remote-Operated Underwater Vehicle, equipped with a video camera and a manipulator to attach transmission devices to the containers, will be lowered from a ship.
The containers were most likely to be found at a depth of 30 to 80 metres. Stage three of the operation will involve the recovery of newly-identified containers. A timeline for this has yet to be finalised.