Hanjin saga continues

Despite reports of Hanjin boxes moving through more ports, there are still problems at some ports with halted container and vessel arrests.

In the US, operators seem to be largely of the view that they’ll conduct vessel operations and release Hanjin import containers to customers if they receive advance payment for cargo-handling.

They say that Hanjin customers can use competing shipping lines if the Korean carrier’s ships are unavailable. But this doesn’t cargo laden vessels that got caught up in the bankruptcy.

The Port of Houston told Port Strategy that Hanjin imports are now ready for pick up at no extra charge to the customer. Hanjin box movements had previously been halted because the port had stopped receiving payments from the South Korean carrier. A refund will be given to those customers who previously paid for their containers.

In Singapore, a source told PS that there is one Hanjin container ship (Hanjin Rome), currently under arrest in Singapore since 29 Aug 2016 arising from a civil claim by creditors of Hanjin. The arrest was before Hanjin Shipping file for receivership on 31 Aug 2016.

Meanwhile in Australia, the Hanjin Milano is currently stuck off the coast of Melbourne.

Nick Easy, CEO of Port of Melbourne Corporation, told PS that the Port of Melbourne Corporation has worked diligently in the interests of port service providers, cargo interests and the wider supply chain to address the fallout from the Hanjin collapse, particularly with regard to the scheduled arrival of the vessel Hanjin Milano.

He said: “The Hanjin Milano is currently in Bass Strait. The vessel was initially scheduled to call at Melbourne prior to the Hanjin bankruptcy declaration. PoMC is doing everything possible to facilitate an orderly port call and will not deny access to the Port of Melbourne.”

But the ETA of the vessel is yet to be confirmed pending a decision from Hanjin and its receivers.

In China, latest reports suggest that there have been at least four vessel arrests.

And despite PS reporting just recently that operations at South Korea’s Busan Port are largely unaffected, new reports suggest that 13 Hanjin container ships, which have been denied access elsewhere, are still waiting to berth at South Korea’s largest port.

A spokesperson from Busan Port authority told PS that latest figures suggest that 79% of container capacity has been filled at Busan New Port, higher than the 60% preferred for efficient operation. But the other container terminals are operating well with the total average of Busan New Port’s container capacity running at around 61.5 to 62.5%.

BPA is currently transferring Hanjin cargo from HJNC to an empty container depo to help relieve pressure on operations. The spokesperson said that BPA is also considering whether to increase its incentive for T/S cargo and port due exemption for the CKYHE alliance.