By Jite Eriabie
Operations at DP World’s Fairview Container Terminal in Prince Rupert, Canada have been halted after an unidentified “incident” that occurred on Sunday morning, September 3.
“As part of DP World’s emergency response, operations were suspended and there was immediate evacuation of all personnel from the terminal’s container yard,” a statement from the Prince Ruper Port reads.
Even though details on the type of the incident have not been released, it appears that it involved a danger of air contamination.
“Within the first hour following the incident, DP World’s safety teams completed initial air quality testing of the identified container area with no contaminants identified. DP World’s incident command management team also brought an external Industrial Hygienist to conduct on-site assessments and air quality monitoring,” the port authority said.
Local media said that 11 staff members were injured in the incident and were in need of medical treatment for symptoms of respiratory and eye irritation.
World Maritime News is yet to receive a statement from the terminal operator on the matter.
As informed, the site was declared safe at 4:30 am on Monday, September 4, 2017 local time.
The port authority added that DP World expects the terminal to return to normal operations after the Labour Day holiday.
The incident took place days after the completion of the terminal’s expansion project phase 2, which has enabled it to handle the biggest container vessels plying the world’s oceans.
Specifically, the terminal now includes a second vessel berth serviced by three new “big ship ready” Malacca-max cranes, allowing 20,000+ TEU vessels to access the terminal.
Following the conclusion of the two-year “Phase 2 North” expansion project, the terminal’s annual throughput capacity will grow from 850,000 to 1.35 million TEUs.
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