APL to scan Japan exports at Yokohama port

Box liner APL will begin radiation scanning of containerised Japanese exports delivered to its marine terminal at Yokohama for transport on its ships. The radiation test is scheduled to start on 6 April and the carrier expects to scan approximately 200 containers daily, APL announced Friday. “We are taking this step to protect our people and to do what we can to ensure that our customers' cargo moves without delay,” said APL president Eng Aik Meng. “We will continue to scan as long as it is necessary to ensure we are not putting our people or customers' cargo at risk.” APL had commenced limited scanning since 26 March and no radiation abnormalities have been detected on its vessels or containers. The company has hired a Japanese surveying firm to scan export containers passing its Yokohama terminal in-gate. Portable detection equipment will be used to determine if boxes have been exposed to heightened levels of radiation. Japan's nuclear reactors in Fukushima were damaged by an earthquake and tsunami on 11 March and workers have been struggling to contain radiation leaks in the region.