CMA CGM Unaffected by Tianjin Blasts

zoom French liner giant CMA CGM informed that following the Tianjin blasts during the night on August 12th, all CMA CGM crew members and local employees are safe and accounted for. The companys vessel berthing and departure operations are back to normal. All terminals and off-dock depots in Tianjin are under operations today. But berth congestion, low productivity and longer port-stay are still expected in Tianjin for the coming days. Compared with past few days, more trucks are now running inside the port area, CMA CGM said in an update on August 19th. As informed, all CMA CGM group vessels have been able to call Tianjin last week except Xin Qin Huang Dao of the companys ASAF line. In addition, exports containers that are ready to load are set to be evacuated this week on CMA CGM Georg Forster, CPO NORFOLK & HS ONORE. For the time being, the company said that this week there is no call omission from CMA CGM operated vessels. Most tanker operations in the Tianjin Port have stopped as a result of a notice to the port from Tianjin Municipal Transport Commission to cease handling tankers and container ships carrying hazardous substances. The measure has been taken following a warehouse explosion approximately 3km from the nearest container terminal last week, which, according to the latest update has taken the toll of 114 people, with 70 more still missing, Xinhua informed. Search and rescue operations resume through piles of containers at the blast site where there are still burning chemicals left from the explosion.