The South Korean container ship that has been anchored in the Prince Rupert harbour full of cargo since last Tuesday is being unloaded at the Fairview Container Terminal this morning.
The Hanjin Scarlet declared receivership on Tuesday, Aug. 30 after it arrived in the harbour, after Hanjin Shipping was reported to have applied for court protection from its creditors.
On Aug. 2, the Port of Prince Rupert announced in a press release, that DP world, the operator of Fairview Container Terminal and CN have arranged to move the Hanjin containers through the port. DP World requires pre-payment for handling the containers and CN is offering to move the goods from the port to various destinations in Canada and the U.S at a relevant rail charge.
The container vessel sitting in the Prince Rupert inner harbour unhandled and still full of cargo as of Tuesday morning, is an odd sight for residents of the town used to seeing expedient port activities and empty vessels out at sea.
“Following the Hanjin Scarlet’s arrival Tuesday evening, the vessel proceeded directly to an assigned anchorage, where it remains Wednesday following news that the Hanjin Shipping Co. has filed for receivership (a type of corporate bankruptcy where a receiver is directed by bankruptcy courts or creditors to run the company),” a press release on Aug. 31 from the Port of Prince Rupert stated.
Fairview Container Terminal owner and operator DP World, CN Rail and the Port of Prince Rupert continued to engage in dialogue to find a solution
“CN has advised that all Hanjin containers currently in its system will be released for pickup from its origin terminals, with no storage charges for these boxes. CN will not accept additional Hanjin export loads – or bookings from other shipping lines destined for Hanjin vessels,” the release from Aug. 31 continued.
The Port of Prince Rupert is not alone in its limbo. All over the globe, reports circled last week that Hanjin vessels had been denied at ports and action had been taken to seize the vessels and the South Korean company’s assets until bills were paid.
With files from Kevin Campbell
For more background on the story see: SOUTH KOREAN CARGO SHIP SITS OFF PRINCE RUPERT AFTER COMPANY’S FINANCIAL WOES.