Widespread damage curtails Japan's ports

Japan's recent devastating earthquake has caused serious damage to the ports of Hachinohe, Hitachi, Hitachinaka, Ishinomaki, Kamaishi, Kashima, Ofunato, Onahama, Sendai-Shiogama and Soma, according to reports.


As at the end of March, Maersk Line confirmed that it had suspended services for both exports and imports at Sendai, Onahama, and Hachinohe until further notice.


However, other reports are conflicting. Although one source says that fire and liquefaction has impacted some of the port areas within Chiba and Tokyo, Maersk had desrcibed Tokyo as "safe”. Maersk added that Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Osaka and Hakata ports are likewise secure with no damage to the company’s handling equipment.


Despite the differing information, it seems that Tokyo and all ports south of Japan's capital were able to re-start operations a short while after the disaster, but the rest of the country's ports remained closed awaiting damage assessment.


Additionally, a shortage of fuel was slowing down business and impacting shore facilities and handling equipment in the Kanto area, including Shimizu, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Tokyo, Chiba and Kisarazu (Kimitsu).


Continued planned electricity outages in Tokyo and Yokohama further impacted port operations in these areas.
(Source:http://www.portstrategy.com)