A biofouled bulker ordered out of New Zealand this month has been allowed back in after cleaning up.

The 34,000-dwt DL Marigold (built 2012) had to leave Tauranga on 6 March following the discovery of dense clusters of barnacles and tube worms on the hull and other underwater surfaces.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said the vessel returned to Tauranga this week to finish unloading a shipment of palm kernel after using divers to undertake cleaning at sea outside New Zealand waters.

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