Auckland Port to warehouse gunpowder cargo despite eco outcry

GUNPOWDER shipments have been cleared for storage at the Port of Auckland in New Zealand despite the outcry from environments who say the port is located too close to the City of Auckland.

Australian company Defence Logistics will unload four containers, each holding up to 14 tonnes of gunpowder, to be held briefly before continuing their journey to California, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The company last year shipped three containers of explosives via Auckland Port, reported the New Zealand Press Association.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Bob Tait warned that a bump could set off the gunpowder, in spite of fact that the shipment has been packed to prevent sparks.

"If a vehicle on the wharf has its accelerator cable stuck or something and it hit the container, it would all go," he said.

The report added that according to comments by a Ports of Auckland spokesperson "such shipments occurred routinely and the port had a strong safety record," it said.

Source: www.schednet.com