Maersk resumes services at two Japanese ports

Maersk Line, the world's largest container shipping firm, announced the partial resumption of services at two Japanese ports damaged by the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeastern part of the country on March 11, Journal of Commerce reports. The Port of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture and the Port of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, will resume partial services, Maersk K.K., Maersk Line’s Japanese subsidiary, said Monday.


Maersk Line’s services -- for both exports and imports -- had been completely suspended at the Port of Hachinohe, the Port of Sendai and the Port of Onahama in Fukushima Prefecture -- since the March 11 twin natural disasters.


The three ports are all located on the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region, which bore the brunt of the disasters.


Maersk Line’s services at the Port of Hachinohe and the Port of Sendai have been suspended “due to heavy damage to terminal facilities and barge and feeder service suspension caused by the huge earthquake and tsunami,” Maersk K.K. said in a press release.


“Now that we confirm the operational feasibility after repair works and resumption of barge and feeder service, we are pleased to announce that Maersk Line partly re-opens acceptance at those locations with some restrictions,” Maersk K.K. said.


As for imports to the Port of Hachinohe, acceptance is limited to 40-foot high cube dry containers. As for exports from the port, acceptance is limited to 40-foot high cube dry containers, and subject to equipment availability, Maersk K.K. said.


At the Port of Sendai, Maersk Line’s service resumption is limited to exports. Acceptance is subject to equipment availability, Maersk K.K. said.


Maersk Line is still checking the status of the Port of Onahama to see when it can resume services at the port, Maersk K.K. said.
(Source:http://en.portnews.ru)