Port workers at Oakland refuse to handle boxes that may have been repaired in Vietnam

Longshoremen at the Californian port of Oakland are refusing to work on vessels calling at the TraPac and SSA Marine terminals after concerns that refrigerated containers could explode.

Longshoremen at the Californian port of Oakland are refusing to work on vessels calling at the TraPac and SSA Marine terminals after concerns that refrigerated containers could explode.

Maritime authorities report that three reefer containers have exploded or caused fire, resulting in two fatalities in Vietnam and one in Brazil.

The explosions were believed to be the result of contaminated gas added to the boxes' refrigeration units during servicing in Vietnam.

The three reefers that exploded were operated by Maersk Line, but since the dangerwas reported all carriers are scrambling to find any reefers that have been repaired in Vietnam since February.

Maersk has removed all its 844 reefer containers that have been repaired in Vietnam.

Soren Toft, head of centre operations, inland terminals and equipment, said: "While we cannot state with total certainty that we have identified the root cause, we are confident that we have taken the necessary precautions to avoid further incidents."

The latest explosion, on 7 October in Itajai, Brazil, killed a technician working on the reefer, a Maersk spokesman said.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members in Oakland are refusing to work on three vessels at the SSA Marine terminal, demanding a history of all of the containers on board.

In a statement today, APL declared its 50,000-strong reefer fleet safe.

"We have reviewed our inspection records and procedures and are fully confident that our refrigerated containers are safe," said Eric Eng, VP of APL's Global Refrigerated Trade.

"But to allay concerns, we are adding new requirements, stepping up our inspection program and strengthening maintenance procedures."

Bronvermelding: Google