The government recognizes the environmental and social damages caused by the 2024 naval accident off Opolu
One year after the sinking of the ship HMNZS Manawanui, New Zealand has agreed to pay $3.6 million to Samoa as compensation for the pollution and economic losses resulting from the incident. Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that Wellington intends to “do the right thing”, recognizing the impact suffered by local communities.
The Manawanui, built in 2003 as an offshore support vessel and purchased by the New Zealand Navy in 2018, ran aground on October 5, 2024, one mile from Opolu, in rough sea conditions. A navigation error related to the autopilot caused the ship to hit the coral reef at approximately 10 knots. All 75 crew members were rescued, but 14 were injured (CLICK HERE).
The following day, a fire on board caused the ship to capsize and sink; it was carrying approximately one million liters of fuel. Some of the fuel spilled into the sea, forcing authorities to ban fishing for five months.
An official inquiry attributed responsibility for the incident to deficiencies in training and planning, as well as problems with supervision and operational procedures. The cleanup operations concluded in February 2025, and the most recent analyses show no signs of significant pollution.
The wreck will remain on the seabed, as no recovery is planned. However, some local inhabitants have reported a decline in fishing and a persistent smell of diesel in the area. The New Zealand Navy has announced further independent environmental assessments.
The HMNZS Manawanui will not be replaced: its functions will be taken over by the Otago, a smaller and less equipped ship.
