The Chinese-registered coal carrier that ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef will be towed to a mainland port for repairs today.
The 70,000-tonne fully laden Shen Neng 1 hit Douglas Shoal, off the central Queensland coast, on Easter Saturday spilling up to four tonnes of heavy fuel oil from its ruptured fuel tank and causing extensive damage to the reef.
Initial assessment by salvage experts showed the ship's hull had been breached in at least two places, with dents and cracking along its length.
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It is now in safe anchorage near Great Keppel Island and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) said towing will begin on Wednesday to take the ship to the Port of Gladstone.
It is expected to arrive by Thursday.
Once repaired, and its cargo offloaded, Shen Neng 1 will be towed to a foreign port.
