UK seizes Libya-bound boxes, ports close, cargo diverted

LIBYA's ports have been bypassed as shipping lines divert cargo elsewhere fearing the safety of their crews, or having ships stalled in port as dockers abandon their posts because of the civil unrest.


A spokesman for forwarder Tuscor Lloyds told London's International Freighting Weekly that operations at Tripoli, Benghazi and Misurata had stopped.


"We are still accepting cargo for Libya, but the containers are being discharged in Italy at the moment - in Gioia Tauro or La Spezia - and are waiting to be sent on once the situation gets better in Libya," he said. "At the moment, we are advising customers that containers will be delayed getting to Libya."


Britain has also imposed a ban on Libyan currency leaving the country, following a failed attempt to ship GBP100 million (US$162.9 million) to Tripoli last week.


Containers aboard the German-owned Sloman Provider, destined for Libya, were seized by the UK Border Agency. "The ship was escorted into Harwich by the UK Border Agency cutter HMC Vigilant. A number of containers were offloaded and taken under control of the agency and have been moved to a secure location," said an agency spokesman.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)