Container removal from the stricken cargo ship Rena is underway once again after salvors were forced to suspend operations due to strong winds and rough seas.

Salvors began removing containers from the ship, grounded on Astrolabe Reef, on Sunday after rough weather forced salvors to suspend operations on Wednesday, November 23.

A total of 23 containers were removed from the ship yesterday, bringing the total number of containers lifted from the Rena to 119.

Salvors have re-commenced operations to remove containers from the Rena, grounded on Astrolabe Reef.

There were 1368 containers on the Rena when it ran aground on October 5 and 1162 containers remain onboard.

The crane barge Sea Tow 60 repositioned itself next to the Rena yesterday after returning to the Port of Tauranga on Wednesday when strong winds and rough seas set in.

An early morning flight over the ship, stranded on Astrolabe Reef, today, revealed the vessel is still intact but remains in a fragile state.

Maritime New Zealand expects container removal to continue in the next few days with favourable weather forecast.

Shoreline clean-up teams will be working in targeted areas today with warm water washing in Mount Maunganui and general grooming and surf washing around Papamoa.