A biofouled vessel ordered to leave Tauranga earlier this month has been allowed to return after being cleaned outside New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.
The ministry ordered the DL Marigold to leave Tauranga on March 6 following the discovery of dense fouling of barnacles and tube worms on the bulk carrier's hull and other underwater surfaces.
The vessel returned to Tauranga yesterday evening to finish unloading a shipment of palm kernel after using divers to undertake cleaning at sea outside New Zealand waters.
The ministry's border clearance services capability manager Sharon Tohovaka said the ministry checked photos taken after the cleaning operation.
"These were provided to MPI prior to the vessel's arrival. We are now satisfied the ship is very clean and meets New Zealand's biosecurity requirements.