Japan shipper mulls future of vessel with "abnormal" radiation(China refused to unload ship's cargo)

[Robbien]

Source: Reuters

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has not yet decided what it will do with its container ship when it returns to Japan this week, a company official said on Tuesday, after China rejected the vessel for "abnormal" radiation levels.

<snip>

If radiation levels are confirmed to be too high on the vessel, MOL may be forced to dispose of the machinery, furniture and other cargo on the ship and reimburse its clients since insurance companies do not cover radiation exposure linked to nuclear accidents, industry experts said. The vessel would also need to be thoroughly cleaned before it can set sail again.

Chinese authorities detected a maximum of 3.5 microsieverts per hour on MOL's ship when it arrived at the port of Xiamen in eastern Fujian province last week, the company spokeswoman said.

. . .

The MOL Presence originated in California, stopping in Tokyo for only a few hours on March 17 before arriving in China four days later, port authorities said.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/29/us-japan-quake-mitsui-idUSTRE72S0P520110329

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All along Japan and nuclear officials sources keep saying everything is safe, don't worry, be happy and stay calm.

Then there is this. In this instance when given a choice to hurt profits or accept this ship, the port chose to hurt profits. This ship was only in Tokyo port for a few hours. A port which is 150 miles away from the busted nuclear reactors.

Everything is safe, be happy.

[cui bono]

1. "since insurance companies do not cover radiation exposure linked to nuclear accidents"

Why do people on here keep saying they have insurance? What would happen to a cargo ship radiated by an American nuclear failure (these are not "accidents" imo)?

[Robbien]

2. Insurance company radiation exposure exclusion is a global thing

If someone wants insurance against radiation exposure they have to buy it specifically.

I expect that is why the owner of the busted nuclear reactors is refusing to expand the evacuation area around the reactors. Even the lax US standards say no one should come anywhere nearer than 50 miles of it. But TEPCO is keeping the restricted area to 12 miles because they know they (not insurance companies) are on the hook for damages in the restricted zone.

[jwirr]

5. I said it because I honestly did not know they were not. I am on DU

so I expect to learn things - thanks.

[ensho]

3. more and more of this is going to happen

nt

[crickets]

4. And how, exactly, are they going to dispose of the cargo safely?

This catastrophe is the bitter gift that literally keeps on giving. Shipping to and from Japan is going to take a hit from this at a time when it's a lifeline they cannot do without.

[Rage for Order]

6. You know you're in trouble if your shit is so poisonous even China won't take it

:wow:

[truebrit71]

12. Right?

:wow: is spot on...

[KittyWampus]

13. my thought exactly.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. The ship was in Tokyo 12 days ago......for a few hours..and got contaminated.

Yet now, 12 days later, after much more radiation has been released, people in Tokyo are being told everything is ok.

Apparently not ok, if it causes shippers to avoid Japan:

However, at least three container firms -- Germany's Hapag-Lloyd, Claus-Peter Offen and Hong Kong's Orient Overseas Container Line -- have widened their "no-go" area to more than double the industry norm to include Tokyo Bay.
And causes the US Navy to avoid Tokyo Bay, as has been announced.

[madrchsod]

8. well the chinese are full of shit about this "dangerous ship"

i still can`t get over no one even doing a little google search about this "dangerous level". i`vie been exposed to higher levels in my lifetime and i`m not glowing. seems the truth is`t that hard to find ,in fact we can just google our own site and find this!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=280544&mesg_id=280556

[FredStembottom]

9. Seems like hysteria to me to turn a ship around for....

2.5 microsieverts.

We get 250microsieverts a year from dirt. Plain un-polluted dirt.

http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/docs/402-k-07-006.pdf

Genuine hysteria.

[daleo]

14. If the cargo is contaminated at this level

One could be exposed to about 3.5 millisiverts in 1000 hours, or about 40 days. So that would be about 3.5 per year or 35 in 10 years. That level may elevate cancer risk somewhat.

It depends on the half-lives of the radioactive contaminants involved and the amount of time one would be exposed to the cargo once it was purchased for its ultimate use. For example, I wouldn't want my walls painted with paint this contaminated, or to own a couch with this level of contamination. But it wouldn't matter for things I didn't use all that often.

[Frisbee]

10. Also, keep in mind....

It is possible this ship picked up it's radiation while at sea and passing through contaminated water or air. Not saying Tokyo harbor isn't contaminated, but it's not the only possible source.

[CanonRay]

11. Remember kids, nuclear power is safe, clean, and efficient

and poses no human health risk!

:puke: