Efforts continue to dislodge a container ship stuck on a reef off New Caledonia.
Photo: 123RF
A week ago, the Kea Trader hit the Durand Reef, which is about 100 kilometres southeast of the island of Mare, while sailing from Papeete in French Polynesia to Noumea.
New Caledonia's daily newspaper said 11 experts from the salvage company Ardent were onboard the brand new Malta-flagged ship.
A tug boat has been sent from the French navy base with anti-pollution equipment although first reports said there was no fuel leaking from the double-hulled ship.
The 700 tonnes of fuel in the ship's tanks are expected to pumped out.
The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation has reportedly been contacted to help ensure a spill will be avoided.
Equipment has been flown in from Australia and more is due from Singapore.
It is not known why the 200-metre ship hit the reef.
The Kea Trader was built in China this year and its owner is the international company Lomar.