Terminals and off-dock depots operating, but berth congestion, low productivity and longer port-stays expected
CMA CGM has provided an update on the situation at the port of Tianjin a week after the explosions that devastated areas of the city close to the port late on 12 August.
In an update on 19 August, it said all CMA CGM crew members and local employees were safe and accounted for. Vessel berthing and departure were back to normal and all terminals and off-dock depots in Tianjin were operating as of 19 August.
Terminals and off-dock depots operating, but berth congestion, low productivity and longer port-stays expected
CMA CGM has provided an update on the situation at the port of Tianjin a week after the explosions that devastated areas of the city close to the port late on 12 August.
In an update on 19 August, it said all CMA CGM crew members and local employees were safe and accounted for. Vessel berthing and departure were back to normal and all terminals and off-dock depots in Tianjin were operating as of 19 August.
But berth congestion, low productivity, and longer port-stay were still expected in Tianjin for the coming days.
“Compared with the past few days, more trucks are now running inside the port area,” it said. “All CMA CGM group vessels have been able to call Tianjin last week except Xin Qin Huang Dao of our ASAF line.
“Export containers that are ready to load will be evacuated this week on CMA CGM Georg Forster, CPO NORFOLK & HS ONORE. This week there is no call omission from CMA CGM operated vessels for the time being.”
It said export and import of dangerous cargo containers had been completely banned by the local authorities, but export and import of non-dangerous chemicals were authorized.
In terms of a cargo update, it said an exhaustive update was not yet possible, due to the fact that it still did not have access to all areas.
It added: “For import containers discharged before 12 August:
Containers within Free Demurrage (4 days) still on Terminals as of 8/8, have not been moved from the Terminal.
Containers that could not be picked up within free demurrage (4 days in Xingang), have been transferred to backyards (mostly adjacent to the terminal) which are 7-8kms from the explosion site.
Containers selected by customs for inspection, have been sent to International Logistics Depot (Customs nominated depot for inspection) close to the explosion area, we estimate that we have only long idle containers in this are area.
In terms of exports, it said: “With the green light from Tianjin Customs, shippers now can deliver the container to terminal directly within contracted gate-in period, besides via off-dock depot under normal circumstance, and then proceeding further customs declaration process.
“Containers Load Ready on the terminal before 12.08 have been exported on vessels calling last week.”
CMA CGM said it would continue to work closely with the port authorities and keep customers informed about any change.
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