Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) said final preparations were being made to ensure the Chinese-registered Shen Neng 1 has a safe journey out of the central Queensland port of Gladstone.

"There will be a high level of surveillance while it's in Queensland waters," the spokesman said.

"It will be towed on Monday at the earliest."

The deep sea tugboat, the De Da, will tow the Shen Neng 1, with the trip expected to take up to five weeks.

One-third of the ship's 65,000 tonnes of coal has been unloaded so the vessel is light enough for the journey.

The carrier ran aground on Douglas Shoal off Rockhampton on Easter Saturday, spilling tonnes of oil into the ocean.

The MSQ spokesman said he'd be glad to see the back of the carrier.

"Let's get rid of it first, and then we'll happily say it's a relief," he said.

Sourced from www.smh.com.au