The Astrolabe Winery of New Zeeland is facing the loss of 4000 cases

"My major worry belongs to the coast and the underwaterworld- and if we are going to loose the wine, we can not change this”, says Jason Yank, general manager of Astrolabe." We have little hope at the moment. One of our containers is already flooded, but we do not know more. Also we do not have any claims to insurance payments, because the wine is neither damaged nor stolen.”

Already wednesday the container ship with a cargo capacity of 47.000 tons ran aground. It is not to think of a recovery of the 1368 containers at the moment. So far there had been floating around 350 tons of oil in the sea and there are more 1700 tons on the freighter. The scene of the accident is lokated about 22 km in front of Tauranga on the northisland. Here Plenty bay is one of the most important tourist attractons.

After evacuating the 24 crew members via helicopter on Sunday, it is not to think of a lightly outcome. Also the prime minister of New Zeeland, John Key, is not able to give all-clear, but affirms that already at least 70 containers fell into the sea. And the attempt to dam up the oil film with resolvents out of airplains, was not successful as well.

The wine delivery of Astrolabe which contained exclusively Sauvignon Blanc was dedicated for irish Christmas markets. "We send another capacious wine delivery from Port Chambers to Europe at the moment, to secure the local stocks. If we should loose the wine of the `Rena´, we can not afford another delivery especially for Irland, for our wines are commissioned worldwide and we do not have any more reserve funds of stock" says Jason Yank. (red.yoopress)