Removal of the 1280 containers on board the stricken cargo ship Rena will start tomorrow – now continuous pumping operations are complete.

The ST60 barge is expected to start removing containers from the ship grounded on Astrolabe Reef, approximately 25 kilometres from Tauranga on Monday, November 14.

The Awanuia is back in Port of Tauranga after being released from Rena. Photo: LOC

Maritime New Zealand salvage unit manager Arthur Jobard says preparations are well underway for phase two of the salvage operation, with the ST60 barge to get into position 'first thing in the morning.”

Pumping of heavy fuel oil from the submerged starboard number five tank was completed today with salvors pumping 319 tonnes of the estimated 358 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the tank onto the barge vessel Awanuia.

The Awanuia has disengaged from Rena and is back in Port of Tauranga.

'We have reached a key milestone today. The bulk oil fuel transfer phase is complete.”

Arthur says of the total 319 tonnes, 10 per cent is water, which leaves an estimated 60 tonnes of oil in the starboard tank.

Operations will continue to pump remaining oil in the starboard tank onto the Go Canopus. This operation is expected to take some time as salvors have to wait for the residual oil to rise to the top of the tank before it can be pumped out.

'Pumping the remaining 60 tonnes off will take some time. The oil will be separated from the water and pumped onto the Go Canopus.”

Residual oil from the port number five tank will also be pumped onto the Go Canopus. The port number five tank held 772 tonnes of heavy fuel oil when Rena grounded on October 5. Salvors ceased pumping oil from this tank on October 27, leaving only remnants of oil.

As part of the "stripping" process, salvors will now revisit this tank to remove the last few tonnes.

MNZ National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell says segmented beach access restrictions could start to be lifted as early as Wednesday.

However, Mick says there is still a threat to beaches from the oil remaining in the ship's duct keel.

'There is an ongoing threat with the residual oil still on board the vessel. Staff remain on standby to deal with the oil when it is released.

Mick says if more containers fall into the ocean and wash ashore on beaches, beach closures and public safety would be reviewed.

Shoreline clean-up operations continued in Papamoa and Maketu today with 75 volunteers working with the national response team staff.