Japan's 8.9 earthquake paralyses logistics in Japan

THE 8.9 earthquake struck Japan 250 miles north of Tokyo closed all ports and airports, and coastal regions across the entire Pacific Ocean were bracing for the impact of tsunamis tidal waves.


The quake, 80 miles off the coast of Honshu, Japan's main island, at a depth of 15 miles, triggered a tsunami that caused devastation and widespread loss of life.


"Some ports in northern Japan, Kushiro, Hachinohe, Ishinomaki and Kashima, were hit by the tsunami. We've heard some feed mills and livestock operations have also been damaged. Those facilities were not severely damaged by the earthquake itself but were affected by the tsunami," said Tommy Hamamoto, said the United States Grain Council (USGC) director in Japan.


"It is too early to tell what effect this will have on Japan's agricultural sector, but it could be of significance," said Mr Hamamoto.


The most vulnerable ports are in the prefectures of Miyaki and Fukushima where a tsunami wave of water up to 10 metres hit the shore. The port of Sendai has been severely damaged, reported London's Containerisation International.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)