[EN-OTH] "USGC" : Haitian Cranes Down, Piers Submerge By Quake

HARBOUR facilities in Port-au-Prince were severely damaged and "apparently unusable" after Haiti's earthquake with cranes down, piers submerged as ships stood off at anchor awaiting information and trying to determine how to resume service.

"We have been informed that the port has collapsed and is non-operational," said Mary Ann Kotlarich, a spokesman for Maersk Line.

Ms Kotlarich said Maersk is part of a Sea Freight vessel sharing agreement and has feeders calling at the port. Its Pacific Voyager was supposed to call, but stood off until more was known, according to an American Shipper report.

A US Coast Guard inspection found docking facilities at Port-au-Prince severely damaged and "apparently unusable", reported Newark's Journal of Commerce. Lieutenant Commander Chris O'Neil said cranes were destroyed and piers submerged.

Aids to navigation were where they should be, but the docks were in no condition to receive ships that might be carrying relief, said the report.

Seaboard Marine and Crowley Maritime Corp have suspended services, said American Shipper. Seaboard's Amstel Trader did not call as scheduled northbound and the company said it is not taking bookings or receiving Haitian cargo at Miami, Brooklyn and Fernandina Beach, Florida, until it knows more about the state of docking at Port-au-Prince.

"Preliminary reports are not encouraging," said a Seaboard spokesman. "There is significant structural damage to the cranes and piers at the main port and cargo vessels are unable to dock."

Source : HKSG, 16.01.10.