On 31st August 2016, South Korea's Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd filed for receivership. Hanjin is the 8th largest container line in the world. Their vessels call at various Australian ports, including Port Botany, to discharge and load cargo.
NSW Ports recognises that efficiency in supply chain operations is critical to our customers and stakeholders and we have been working with all parties in the wake of the economic troubles of Hanjin to minimise impact to cargo owners.
To facilitate the release of cargo on the vessel Hanjin California, the vessel was berthed at the Hutchison terminal at Port Botany on Saturday the 3rd September 2016 and was discharged of all Australian bound cargo.
The vessel was subsequently arrested at the Hutchison terminal following a warrant requested by Glencore Singapore for unpaid debts. Vessels arrested at a port have the potential to impact on port operations and create uncertainty for cargo remaining on the vessel. Steps were taken with the support of the Port Botany Harbour Master to ensure that Port Botany operations are not impacted by this action with the arrested vessel transferred to an available berth in Sydney Harbour.
As of Thursday 8 September, all non-Hanjin cargo has now been released from the terminal.
We will continue to work to support our customers who rely on Port Botany for the import and export of goods for their businesses.