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44 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News “There are different jurisdictions and regula- tory bodies dealing with it,” Glenn said.

The APL readings are based on the Interna- tional Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, guide- lines generally regarded as safe standards, but he said it was a very technical process. “There are many false positive readings from common elements in household items, like fruit and vegetables, or recycled goods. The false readings have to be separated from the positives,” he said.

APL president Eng Aik Meng said the line would continue to scan for “as long as necessary to ensure we are not putting our people or cus- tomers’ cargo at risk”.

MOL is screening its vessels for radiation at the ports of Tokyo and Yokohama. “We hired a third party surveyor to detect radi- ation levels on vessels and containers,” the line spokesman said. “Besides the surveyors, trained staff are conducting testing.”

Eskelund said Japanese authorities were con- stantly monitoring radiation levels in Tokyo and

Yokohama – Japan's largest and second-largest container ports – while Maersk continued “to consult national and international experts along with local and global authorities”. “We are communicating with all owned and chartered vessels on a daily basis and vessels have been given the option of requesting a sur- veyor to perform radioactive measurements while in port,” Eskelund said.

The carriers and others involved with the Japan trade were reluctant to put too negative a slant on the radiation threat and its long-term impacts.

Instead, they highlighted the actions of staff and their ability to manage both their own safety and the disaster.

Maersk had high praise for its workforce. “We are proud that all employees responded profes- sionally to protect and safeguard themselves and their families and secondarily that our services are disrupted to a minimum degree so we can continue serving Japan's foreign trade”. “Bringing goods and food to Japan is more vital than ever in light of the recent earthquake

FEATURE JAPAN IN CRISIS (Photo: MOL)

Mitsui OSK Lines cruise ship Fuji Maru called at the ports of Ofunato, Kamaishi and Miyako to provide free day-use services such as meals, baths and rest for victims of the Tohoku–Pacific

Ocean earthquake.