Explosive containers still a US hot potato

Port Strategy contacted the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) who said it is “issuing no further update on the situation at present”.

PMA is responsible for negotiating and administering maritime labour agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union at ports along the west coast, many of which have had security alerts over these containers during the last week.

In a statement on their website PMA said: “The PMA is working with ILWU locals along the coast on agreements that protect workers while keeping the ports operating. The PMA continues to work with locals at other ports, including Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma. Employee safety and well-being are our top concern.”

Last week, PS reported that the Port of Seattle isolated eight suspect containers in conjunction with the US Coastguard amid fears they could explode injuring port workers.

All indications point to a link with maintenance work being carried out on these containers at the Port of Kat Lai in Vietnam.

Concerns have been raised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) over the health and safety of port workers with these potentially dangerous reefer containers still in operation.