As you may have read here, the fire stricken Yantian Express reached Halifax – its final destination, finally.. ONE, who are one of the Alliance partners on this ship have issued an advisory as below to give everyone a “better perspective of the reality of the operational situation facing the Yantian Express“..

Further to our recent status update, we confirm that the MV “Yantian Express” safely arrived at Halifax on May 20, 2019. Thereafter, she berthed at the terminal during the early morning on May 21 and commenced discharging her cargo.

To give you a better perspective of the reality of the operational situation facing the “Yantian Express,” please find below several key aspects involved:

Given the particular complexity of the operational handling and considering the fire damage sustained by the vessel and related repairs to be undertaken, the intent is to totally discharge all containers (over 3,200) in Halifax. Once ashore, containers for which General Average and Salvage security has been provided (“secured containers”) will be stacked apart from those which remain unsecured (“unsecured containers”).We kindly remind customers concerned that unsecured containers cannot be released from the terminal until all appropriate security has been provided and any such release is confirmed by Richards Hogg Lindley (as General Average and Salvage Adjuster). We therefore again urge all cargo interests that are yet to provide General Average/Salvage securities to do so without further delay, in order to allow delivery of their cargo.It is anticipated that discharge of the 3,200 containers will take an estimated 85 hours of work. During this time, the MV “Yantian Express” must, at times, shift along the berth in order to allow access to other regularly scheduled vessels, and will thereafter shift back in order to resume cargo operations.We anticipate that the actual discharge operation will take 12 days or more.In respect of the forwarding of secured containers to final destination, please appreciate that the terminal cannot dig out or “cherry pick” specific containers once stacked ashore. Thus, secured containers will be moved to the rail (or transhipment vessel) for delivery in the most efficient and expedient manner in order to speed up the overall handling.As part of these operations, the vessel must also back load empty containers to achieve the necessary stability criteria for a subsequent safe passage to Asia where the vessel will undergo permanent repairs.In light of these given circumstances, kindly appreciate that we are not in a position at this moment to estimate when specific containers will be discharged and when secured containers will move forward to their final destination.In terms of cargo surveys, please note it is untenable to move containers to ground positions in Halifax for inspection, not to mention the lack of space on the terminal, delays to be encountered, etc. As such, all cargo surveys, if required, must be performed at final destination.

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After the container is secured and all General Average and Salvage securities paid, all further activities should move in the normal course of business.

Cargo Interests should inform us about any alleged damage to their cargo as soon as possible, following delivery.If, as a cargo interest, you select to conduct a survey of the cargo, please advise us of the date and time of any such survey, so that we may appoint our own surveyor to carry out our own inspection, either jointly or independently, where appropriate.

ONE North America has set-up a dedicated phone queue to answer questions about cargo on the Yantian Express. From the United States and Canada, please call our toll-free customer service line 844 413 6029, select Option 2 for Import Services and then Option 3 for information on the Yantian Express.

We regret the inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding in this regard. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your sales account representative for additional information.

End of advisory..

Source Link | Shipping and Freight Resource