Tag: Japan

No present health or transportation safety hazards The United Nations organizations closely monitoring the effects of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant remain confident that current radiation levels do not present health or transportation safety hazards to passengers and crew.On 18 March, based on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry assessed the significance rating of the accident at the plant as Level 5. On 12 April, this assessment was revised to Level 7 following information obtained from estimations of the amount of radioactive material discharged to the atmosphere.Radiation monitoring around airports and seaports in Japan continues to confirm that levels remain well within safe limits from a health perspective. In addition, monitoring of passengers, crew and cargo from Japan carried out to date in other countries, in accordance with their national policy, does not suggest any health or safety risk. Therefore, screening of radiation for health and safety purposes is currently considered unnecessary at airports and seaports around the world.Information concerning travel and transport to and from Japan by air or sea is not dependent on the INES rating. Further information covering all aspects of the response of the Ministry of ...

Transiting the North-Eastern Pacific Ocean Region Further to the article "The Effects of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan on Shipping", BIMCO has received the below message and attached advice on the "Potential Risks to Shipping Transiting the North-Eastern Pacific Ocean Region or in the Vicinity of Japan due to Radioactivity Release from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant" from the World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI).In the days following the earthquake, tsunami and the incident at Fukushima power station, WNTI had several requests on the situation regarding the power station and the possible dangers associated with the release of radioactive material.The WNTI has developed the attached document which to some degree tries to explain the situation regarding the Fukushima incident, however as can be appreciated, the situation is changing every day, and therefore the attached paper provides information on various organisations where the latest information regarding advice and radioactive readings can be found.Source: BIMCO

Majority of shipyards able to sustain normal business activities Structural damage from the Japan earthquake and tsunami remains relatively contained, with the majority of shipyards able to sustain normal business activities.Only two shipyards suffered significant damage from the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, but a handful of ships under construction are thought to have been damaged by the disaster.Yamanishi and Kitanihon shipyards in the Tohoku area northeast of Japan were severely affected, according to Japan Ship Centre director Hideaki Saito.Source: Safety4Sea

Health or transportation safety hazards Radioactive material from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant is gradually spreading outside Japan into the global atmosphere but at extremely low concentrations that do not present health or transportation safety hazards, according to the United Nations organizations closely monitoring the situation.Japanese authorities confirm that all airports in the country, with the exception of Sendai which was affected by the tsunami of 11 March, continue to operate normally for both international and domestic operations. Continuous monitoring around these airports confirms that radiation levels are well within safe limits from a health perspective. For updates, travellers visiting Japan by air are advised to consult a dedicated website established by the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau: http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/flyjapan_en/.Japanese authorities also confirm that all international seaports not damaged by the earthquake and tsunami are operating normally and that no health risk has been detected around the ports, based on the results of measurements of radiation levels by local governments. Further information covering all aspects of the response of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, as well as information regarding the radiation dose in Tokyo Bay can be found on the following websites:http://www.mlit.go.jp/page/kanbo01_hy_001411.htmlhttp://www.mlit.go.jp/kowan/kowan_fr1_000041.htmlScreening for radiation of passengers arriving ...

Avoid transiting within 50 miles The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an Advisory stating that,due to radiation leaks from the damaged nuclear power plant near Fukushima,Japan, vessels are urged to avoid transiting within 50 miles of that site (37-19North, 141-01 East).This cautionary area may expand depending uponprevailing wind and weather.In the event that a vessel bound for the UnitedStates has transited within the cautionary area, the master should submit transitinformation, including the date and total time within the cautionary area, to thecognizant USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) using the comment block on the 96-hour advance notice of arrival (ANOA).To view the Advisory please click hereSource: MARAD

Sinking of 16 vessels in the Port of Crescent City The tsunami from the earthquake in Japan resulted in the sinking of 16 vessels in the Port of Crescent City, California. In addition, 47 vessels remain afloat but incurred some damage. There has been significant damage to moorings and docks in the port.Location: Crescent City Inner Basin Harbor, Crescent City, CACause: Tsunami following 8.9 earthquake in JapanDamage: 47 vessels afloat but with some level of damage 16 sunken vessels 1 vessel grounded at mouth of Elk River Large debris including rocks, logs, and vessel debris scatteredabout inner harbor and shore Navigable waters status unknown; boaters should use extremecaution transiting the area Significant damage to moorings and docksClosures or restrictions: Harbor access restricted for public safety Harbor closed to all personnel at night, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.until further notice. To prevent crabs and other seafoods from being contaminated andunmarketable, commercial fisherman are advised of the following protocol: o Commercial vessels are advised to not run circulation pumps as they approach Crescent City Boat Harbor or within Crescent City Boat Harbor o Do not pull crab pots or other traps up through water if a visible sheen is present Safety ...