The captain and chief engineer of a China Navigation log-carrier have been fined for their part in a grounding in New Zealand.

The 39,784-dwt Funing (built 2015) suffered an engine failure on 6 July while leaving the Port of Tauranga with a maritime pilot on board.

Master Liang Guang Hong and chief engineer Chameekara Prasad Nanayakkara both entered guilty pleas in the Tauranga District Court to charges brought by Maritime New Zealand (Maritime NZ) under the Maritime Transport Act 1994.