Grounded cargo ship breaks up on NZ reef

A CARGO ship grounded off the New Zealand coast since October has split in two, spilling containers and debris and sparking fears of a fresh oil leak.

The wreck of the Greek-owned Rena was described as New Zealand’s worst maritime environmental disaster even before the rear section of the ship, lashed by pounding seas, broke away yesterday.

The ship previously spilled heavy fuel oil that fouled North Island beaches and killed up to 20,000 sea birds. Despite salvage efforts, nearly 400 tons of oil remain on board.