A HEAVY smoke haze over Melbourne has affected operations and caused delays at Swanson and Webb Dock container terminals.
The Environment Protection Authority’s AirWatch website on Tuesday morning showed air pollution levels at “hazardous” at several monitoring sites across Greater Melbourne.
DP World Australia issued a statement saying that “due to the hazardous air quality engulfing Melbourne, vessel operations have ceased. Operations will begin once again when the air quality becomes safe”.
“This means the YM Enhancer and ANL Warrnambool discharge of containers will be impacted and the completion of discharge delayed,” DPWA stated.
“As and when we know more, we will update the industry.”
A Patrick Terminals statement said vessel operations at Melbourne East Swanson had been impacted by smoke from the bushfires overnight and this morning.
“Vessel operations have been disrupted,” the statement read. Smoke haze is forecast to remain throughout the day which may cause further intermittent operational delays.”
A spokesperson for Victoria International Container Terminal at Webb Dock said that due to health implications from the smoke affecting Melbourne’s air quality, they stopped operations overnight on Monday.
“We have resumed work today but will keep a close eye on the smoke throughout the day to ensure the safety of our employees,” a VICT spokesperson said.
