Myanmar's major ports closed due to severe damage
Reports coming out of the shipping community say that there is severe damage to Myanmar's major ports. And there are reports that the main terminals - government-operated Bo Aung Kyaw Terminal (BSW), Hutchison-managed Myanmar International Terminal Thilawa (MITT), Annawa Swan Ahaa Shin-managed Myanmar Industrial Port (MIP) and Asia World Port Terminal (AWPT) - are effectively closed.
Mr Teo: We will have to monitor the situation but we are endeavouring not to disrupt the service
The Associated Press reported yesterday that Myanmar will open MITT in Yangon to receive international relief supplies. This was corroborated by shipping industry information that the Kota Tampan, a containership operated by local feeder line Advance Container Lines (ACL), was able to berth at the MITT on Thursday. It is said to be offloading containers using its on-board cranes and is expected to complete discharging by early today. ACL is a unit of Pacific International Lines (PIL).
The ship, which usually uses AWPT on the western side of Yangon, was unable to do so because sunken vessels are blocking the way. It is estimated that up to 80 vessels are blocking the river. MITT, on the other side of the river, seems to be able to take in vessels, though there is massive damage to cranes and other facilities.
Shipping sources say that the port situation is 'very messy' in Yangon. The port authorities are reportedly clearing up debris but have yet to update lines on whether they will accept berthing. It is believed that this will take two to four weeks.
Feeder lines that call at the port are affected, but none have said they will suspend operations. 'Discharging of containers is very slow in Yangon,' said PIL managing director SS Teo. 'We will have to monitor the situation but we are endeavouring not to disrupt the service.' Mr Teo said that problems are aggravated because this is the peak exporting season for agricultural products. Many freight forwarders in Singapore have stopped taking bookings for consignments into Myanmar until further notice. Neptune Orient Lines, the main local line, does not operate services to Myanmar.
The shipping industry, meanwhile, is doing its bit to help the victims of the cyclone. The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) has appealed to its members and their staff for monetary donations to Myanmar through the Singapore Red Cross Society. Apart from donating $10,000, SSA will facilitate and coordinate the receipt of monetary donations. Cheques should be made out to the Singapore Red Cross Society and should reach the SSA Secretariat by May 21.
Mr Teo said that PIL has always worked closely with the Red Cross on international relief efforts, as it did during the Asian tsunami, and will continue to do so.
Mr Teo: We will have to monitor the situation but we are endeavouring not to disrupt the service
The Associated Press reported yesterday that Myanmar will open MITT in Yangon to receive international relief supplies. This was corroborated by shipping industry information that the Kota Tampan, a containership operated by local feeder line Advance Container Lines (ACL), was able to berth at the MITT on Thursday. It is said to be offloading containers using its on-board cranes and is expected to complete discharging by early today. ACL is a unit of Pacific International Lines (PIL).
The ship, which usually uses AWPT on the western side of Yangon, was unable to do so because sunken vessels are blocking the way. It is estimated that up to 80 vessels are blocking the river. MITT, on the other side of the river, seems to be able to take in vessels, though there is massive damage to cranes and other facilities.
Shipping sources say that the port situation is 'very messy' in Yangon. The port authorities are reportedly clearing up debris but have yet to update lines on whether they will accept berthing. It is believed that this will take two to four weeks.
Feeder lines that call at the port are affected, but none have said they will suspend operations. 'Discharging of containers is very slow in Yangon,' said PIL managing director SS Teo. 'We will have to monitor the situation but we are endeavouring not to disrupt the service.' Mr Teo said that problems are aggravated because this is the peak exporting season for agricultural products. Many freight forwarders in Singapore have stopped taking bookings for consignments into Myanmar until further notice. Neptune Orient Lines, the main local line, does not operate services to Myanmar.
The shipping industry, meanwhile, is doing its bit to help the victims of the cyclone. The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) has appealed to its members and their staff for monetary donations to Myanmar through the Singapore Red Cross Society. Apart from donating $10,000, SSA will facilitate and coordinate the receipt of monetary donations. Cheques should be made out to the Singapore Red Cross Society and should reach the SSA Secretariat by May 21.
Mr Teo said that PIL has always worked closely with the Red Cross on international relief efforts, as it did during the Asian tsunami, and will continue to do so.