Gard P&I Club Alert
The Gard P&I Club issues the following alert regarding Monsoon Flooding in Thailand affetcs Shipping:
Gard’s correspondent in Bangkok, Thai P&I Services International Ltd., has advised that due to the ongoing threat of flooding in Thailand, shipments to and from the kingdom have been affected.
The export of rice is also expected to be severely affected. In addition to the authorities limiting vessel traffic in the Chao Praya River to ease wash damage to properties adjacent to the river, the majority of barges used to load rice cargoes have been unable to load cargoes as Ayutthaya Province, the origin of the cargo, has been severely flooded. Members expecting to load rice cargoes from Thailand should check cargo availability, to avoid delays.
As of 25. October 2011, reports from shipping agents in Bangkok state that Bangkok Port has already stopped receiving discharged containers due to yard congestion. Container liners are therefore considering shifting incoming vessels to other private ports in Bangkok or Laem Chabang. In addition,
due to flooding of numerous Container Terminals and ICD’s, their ability to accept additional laden containers is also in doubt. Many ICD’s have already resorted to stowing laden containers above empties, to avoid cargo damage and diverting containers to Laem Chabang, which remains unaffected at the time of writing.
The situation is constantly changing and Members and clients should check with local sources of information and/or their local agents before heading for ports in Thailand.
Source: The Gard P&I Club
