Dalian Port Co, parent of Xingang port, has closed the port for clean-up operations after an oil pipeline explosion on Friday caused what could be the largest oil spill in Chinese waters, a shipping industry agent said.
The clean-up could take eight to 10 days, he told Dow Jones Newswires, citing shipping clients. However, another shipping agent said that the port could be reopened in four to five days.
Port authorities are likely to divert seaborne carriers with cargo of commodities including oil, iron ore and grains, to neighbouring northern ports such as Caofeidian and Qinhuangdao.
Dalian Port Co said it has evacuated as many as 19 commodity tankers from the affected area. It also moved about 10 other ore carriers and container ships to safer anchorage.
The clean-up could take eight to 10 days, he told Dow Jones Newswires, citing shipping clients. However, another shipping agent said that the port could be reopened in four to five days.
Port authorities are likely to divert seaborne carriers with cargo of commodities including oil, iron ore and grains, to neighbouring northern ports such as Caofeidian and Qinhuangdao.
Dalian Port Co said it has evacuated as many as 19 commodity tankers from the affected area. It also moved about 10 other ore carriers and container ships to safer anchorage.