European ports start radiation screening

The port of Rotterdam has confirmed that it is begun to monitor levels of radiation on vessels making calls at Japanese ports.


These tests, which commenced in April, are a "precautionary measure", said the authority, adding "we don't expect to find levels of radioactivity above permitted levels."


Harbour master René de Vries said that the port authority was obligated to do this to protect those workers directly involved in handling cargo. He said that by screening cargo, people worried by potential contamination would have their minds put the rest and vessels could therefore be worked in safety.


Vessels are being intercepted prior to entering the port.


At the Georgian port of Batumi, operations had to be temporarily suspended in early April when a consignment of scrap metal was found to be radioactive. Access roads to the port were blocked and employees evacuated. The source of the contamination, which was flagged up by sensors provided by the US, was not initially identified, although the scrap consignment was for export.


In the United States, the US Customs and Border Protection force is also monitoring the situation in Japan in conjunction with the Homeland Security Department to ensure that anybody or anything arriving from Japan can be guaranteed to be safe. It has forecast that boats and cargo coming from Japan will contain "a low level of radioactive contamination", for which additional screening will be required.
(Source:http://www.portstrategy.com)