OOCL resumes services at Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya ports

The company has implemented precautionary measures onboard its vessels to ensure safety of its crew and cargoes exposed to radiation.

OOCL’s vessels which are deployed in three services, KTX 1/2/3, providing connections with a number of Southeast Asian cities via Japan, continue to operate normally.

Grand Alliance services (PAX and NWX), operated by OOCL’s alliance partner Hapag-Lloyd, have seen disruption to calls at the Ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya since March 16, 2011. On March 31, 2011, our Grand Alliance service to and from Nagoya will resume as normal. The company continues to liaise with our alliance partners to make necessary arrangements for handling the disruption and to keep our customers informed of the ongoing services. 

Booking acceptance for shipments to and from Japan continues except for the ports of Sendai, Hitachinaka and Kashima which were badly damaged by the tsunami on March 11, 2011, according to a OOCL report.

Potential impact on operations due to radiation
OOCL is closely monitoring the situation in Japan and radiation levels at the Ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya. The company will act upon government advice and recommendations from relevant authorities in reviewing needs to make changes to our operations, including our sailing schedules to and from Japan.

OOCL has implemented precautionary measures onboard its vessels to ensure safety of its crew and cargoes, and it is also aware of the concerns about the potential radioactive contamination of goods loaded inside some containers. The company continues to work with relevant authorities in Japan and various destination countries to meet any screening requirements. So far, there has been no case of radiation contamination detected on any container onboard OOCL vessels. Meanwhile, the company believes that it is equally important that customers keep closely in touch with their suppliers to ensure that the sources of supply are clearly identified prior to booking.

Schedule updates available at Japan local website
As of March 29, 2011, the radiation level at the three ports is safe and our operations at the ports remain normal. OOCL vessels will continue to call at the Ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya which are over 50 miles (80 kilometers) away from Fukushima where the radiation contamination is reported.