Press Release 2.5.2011
For immediate publication
Page 1 of 2
Containersfrom Japan?or
Fukushima concerns us all
Contargo is prepared for contaminated transportsfrom Japan
Duisburg, May 2, 2011: Container logistics specialist Contargo has put voluntary measures in place in case radioactively contaminated containers coming from Japan should arrive at one of its inland terminals.Although, according to information from the radiation protection authorities, no serious risk is expected at present, Contargo still wants to be prepared in case a situation of this kind should arise. The enterprise’s Safety Advisor, Ralf Gerlach,says: “Allour 18 terminals have been given operating instructions and shown how to proceed. The most concrete risk to health that we have to consider is from breathing in radioactive particles, which can cause internal damage to the body. For this reason we first of all cover the container concerned with a protective sheet to prevent any radioactive contamination from being blown or washed offinto the environment.”
In close cooperation with the authorities concerned, measurements will then be taken to clarify the state of the container from Japan and the goods it carries. In the meantime Contargo has itself invested in professional measuring technology. In case of contamination, the regional authorities would then decide on the necessary measures and carry them out. “By installing barriers, we ensure that nounauthorised persons can come into contact with the container before it is has been released,” Gerlach adds.
Contargo is one of the first enterprises to react to the uncoordinated situation of the authorities by putting in place its own preventive plans. Co-Managing Director Heinrich Kerstgens says: “In view of the fact that not every container from Japan is being checked in the seaports, and that consequently it is possible for containersto arriveunchecked in the hinterland, I am surprised how lightly the authoritiesare taking their responsibility. For instance the German customs, as a national authority, are interested only in the goods, but not in their transport box. Agreat deal of‘passing the buck’is going onin the German regions, too. Nevertheless, we still have a responsibility to allthe people involved in the transport chain of goods from overseas right into the European hinterland. That’s why we have taken action.”
Only in North Rhine-Westphalia has a positive approach been adopted, wherea working group – IMAG – has recently been founded,specificallyin order to deal with thisproblem constellation.
Photo (Ralf Gerlach): Ralf Gerlach, whose remit in the Contargo logistics network includes advising on all aspects of safety, wants to be prepared ifcontainers contaminated by radioactivity should find their way into the European hinterland.(© Contargo)
Contact partner at Contargo: Heinrich Kerstgens, Contargo GmbH & Co. KG, Shellstr. 5, 67065 Ludwigshafen, Tel.: +49 621 59007 184,
About Contargo:
With a yearly transport throughput of approximately 1 millionTEU, Contargo is one of the biggest container logistics networks in Europe. Contargo integrates container transport between the western seaports, the German North Sea ports and the European hinterland. The company has more than 18 container terminals at its disposal at inland ports in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland. Contargo also operates its own inland barge and rail lines. In 2010 its 400 employees achieved an annual turnover of 190 million Euro.
Contact for the Press:
ViATiCO Agentur für Technik und Marketing Dipl. Ing. Joachim Tatje Bismarckstr. 17 76646 Bruchsal
phone: +49 7251 98199 0 fax: +49 7251 98199 19