A Japanese bulker has been prevented from grounding on a New Caledonia reef after a power outage.

The LNC website reported that the 61,000-dwt Shiny Halo (built 2011) was less than 2km from the reef when it was intercepted by tugs.

The unladen vessel was en route to the Ouaco mine near Koumac, from China, on Monday.

The New Caledonia Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) organised an operation involving three small mining company tugs.