Tianjin port faces congestion after explosion

Container operations are still being slowed after last week’s massive blast at the Port of Tianjin in China, but all terminals and off-dock depots are operating today, according to a bulletin from ocean carrier CMA CGM.    Container operations are still being slowed by the reaction to last week’s massive blast in a warehouse district at the Port of Tianjin in China, but all terminals and off-dock depots are operating today, the ocean carrier CMA CGM said in a bulletin to customers.
   All berths are operating as well. The trouble is that berths are congested and experiencing low productivity, forcing vessels to stay in port longer than expected.
   Containers in storage yards prior to the explosion are still stuck in terminals and have been transferred to backyards seven to eight kilometers from the blast zone. Tianjin Customs has given shippers the go ahead to deliver export containers directly to terminals during regular hours.
   More trucks are now operating in the port area than in previous days since the explosion that killed at least 114 people, CMA CGM said.
   Although hazardous cargo shipments have been banned by authorities for the time being, all non-dangerous goods are being exported and imported.
   The French carrier said its vessels would not have to skip calling Tianjin going forward.