German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd is the latest carrier to resume services to the Japanese ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya after a partial melt-down at the Fukushima nuclear power plant generated radiation fears, reports freight and logistics news service ifw-net.com.
NYK Line, K Line, Maersk Line, MSC, CMA CGM and OOCL last week announced their services to the Tokyo Bay area ports were continuing as normal, the article said.
Commenting on the move, Hapag-Lloyd said in a statement: "The decision was made after radiation measurements in the Tokyo Bay area showed stable and decreasing values for a number of days.
"Hapag-Lloyd will continue to monitor the developments in north-east Japan very closely on a daily basis, and with special regard to the weather conditions."
According to ifw-net, law firm Ince & Co has warned of legal implications in avoiding Japanese ports.
"If the radiation risks prove to be exaggerated and unjustified, an owner may find himself in breach of charter for refusing orders to go to the relevant Japanese port, particularly if it is out of the immediate risk zone."
The company advised that shipowners should not refuse to call at any Japanese port without careful consideration, as many ports outside the earthquake and tsunami-hit area were operating as normal, the report said.
