The $1million Rena fund intended to cover some of the costs incurred from the grounding of the containership Rena opens for applications today.

The ship's charterer Mediterranean Shipping Company has opened the fund to parties affected by the grounding on Astrolabe Reef in October 2011 and subsequent oil spill.

The Rena grounded on Astrolabe Reef in October 2011.

While MSC did not own, or was responsible for the operation of Rena at the time of the grounding, it announced in October 2012 it would establish a $1million fund to help cover costs for the disaster.

Applications are open from today until 5pm Friday, July 19, 2013 and will go towards the people and communities of the Bay of Plenty that suffered proven losses directly as a result of the grounding.

The fund will assist with the costs of cleaning up the Bay of Plenty waters and coastline to reduce the negative effects of the grounding of the Rena, including the spilling of oil and debris from the vessel.

It's also available for local iwi who have suffered as a result of the pollution of the coastline caused by the Rena grounding, for the care of local wildlife negatively impacted by the grounding, and local tourism related businesses that have suffered proven losses directly as a result of the grounding.

The fund is shared equally between Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council and is managed by a distribution committee chaired by Sir Peter Trapski.

Committee members include Tauranga City Council Mayor Stuart Crosby, Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Patterson, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chairman John Cronin and Iwi representative Te Awanui Black.

The fund is a gift and although MSC was in no way responsible for the ship or its crew they wanted to make a donation to the people of Tauranga, says Kevin Clarke, MSC managing director for Australia and New Zealand.

'Due to our longstanding and positive partnership with the Port of Tauranga we wanted to support the wider communities of the Bay of Plenty with this goodwill gesture,” says Kevin.

For further information; including funding criteria and application forms, visit http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-a-z/rena-recovery-fund.aspx, email [email protected] or call (07) 577 7000.