By RNZ

Port Taranaki says a spill response is under way after a tanker released a substance – believed to be a sooty carbon particle – into the New Plymouth harbour.

In a post on social media, Port Taranaki chief executive Simon Craddock said the substance was released into the harbour from a visiting tanker on Tuesday.

“The source of the release has been isolated and resolved and a spill response is under way, involving the use of booms to contain and remove the substance.”

The spill happened before a cargo transfer from the vessel had begun, he said.

“The wind has moved the sooty substance towards the main breakwater, and we have initiated a spill response to quickly have it contained.”

- RNZ