The Shiling is being towed by the Skandi Emerald. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The beleaguered container ship MV Shiling is being towed back into Wellington's CentrePoint.
It has taken about 24 hours to tow the vessel from Tasman Bay to Wellington.
All of the Shiling's 24 crew remain onboard the vessel.
The MV Shiling previously broke down and drifted out of the shipping channel in Wellington Harbour last month and then 11 days ago, lost power off Farewell Spit on its way back to Singapore.
It issued a mayday call before New Plymouth-based ocean-going tug Skandi Emerald went to the vessel's aid.
It towed and secured the vessel in Tasman Bay and was now guiding the nearly 300-metre ship back across Cook Strait.
Harbourmaster Grant Nalder said the flat, calm seas were ideal conditions and the ship was on track to arrive around midday.
A 500-metre exclusion zone was put in place around the towage operation for the duration of its journey to Wellington.
It was not known how long it will remain at CentrePort.
