The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has called for tenders to clean up sunken containers off the coast of Newcastle.
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The official tender process opened on Friday, with the federal agency calling for salvage and offshore construction operators to remove containers, lost overboard from the YM Efficiency last June, and safely dispose of them onshore.
In statement released on Friday, AMSA said it was "once again stepping in" because shipping company Yang Ming and its insurers had "consistently failed beyond the initial response, to initiate clean-up action in a timely and meaningful manner".
"We are disappointed by the lack of action to clean up this mess," AMSA chief executive officer Mick Kinley said.
"Yang Ming have both a moral and legal responsibility to recover their pollution from our coastal environment.
"Leaving the containers in the sea poses an unacceptable environmental risk for the local community and future generations and presents safety risks for local fishers."
Mr Kinley also revealed another safety incident involving Yang Ming had occurred last month, with the agency briefly detaining the ship involved.
"Our lack of satisfaction with the company's performance was further tested in July when an AMSA targeted inspection identified another of Yang Ming's ships, YM Eternity, arriving in Australia without some of its cargo properly loaded and secured," he said.
"AMSA detained that vessel and is considering further action."
AMSA contracted a remotely operated underwater vehicle operator to conduct an underwater search for the containers late last year.
The search identified 66 containers. Five had already been removed and 15 are yet to be found.
Some of the containers are severely damaged with their contents spread across a large area.
The agency concedes it may not be possible to remove all the containers.
"While it may not be realistically possible to recover all the containers and associated debris AMSA is committed to finding the best possible outcome with consideration to the full range of stakeholders affected by this incident." Mr Kinley said.
The agency intends to pursue the recovery of all costs associated with the clean-up from Yang Ming.
It recently threatened Federal Court legal action against the company.
Information sessions are expected to be held in Newcastle and Port Stephens to consult with the community about how the salvage operation will be conducted once a a salvage operator has been contracted.
The salvage operation will likely start early next year.
