ID :
73521
Mon, 08/03/2009 - 16:07
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https://oananews.org//node/73521
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Weather disrupts shipping
Dubai, Aug 3, 2009 (WAM) - Shipping was hampered as a blanket of dust enveloped the country, sending scores of people to the doctor with complaints of eye and nose irritation.
The dusty conditions may take some days to clear, the weather bureau said. The dust, stirred by a massive storm in Iraq's deserts, has gradually spread to Iran, Qatar and the UAE.
An official at a container and cargo terminal at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai said the movement of ships at the port had stopped by 6.45am on Saturday due to poor visibility.
Dubai Ports, the authority in charge of operations at Jebel Ali Port and Port Rashid, said in a statement that "poor visibility due to a sandstorm caused all movement in and out of Jebel Ali terminal to be suspended yesterday [Saturday] at 0630 hrs."
Traffic resumed at about 2pm yesterday, following stepped-up safety measures including additional tugs, Dubai Ports said.
An official at Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi said shipping operations had not stopped although there had been delays.
However, a Reuters report said crude oil exports from Jebel Danna oil terminal had temporarily halted late on Friday, and from Jebel Ali yesterday. Reuters later reported, quoting a shipping source, that Jebel Ali export terminal had reopened yesterday morning.
Al Ruwais and Das Island ports have been closed for at least two days, an Abu Dhabi National Tankers Co (Adnatco) official told Gulf News.
Al Ruwais is responsible for non-oil exports such as polyethylene, sulphur and urea. Das Island Port handles crude and gas exports.
The Adnatco source said there was no information regarding the reopening of any ports.
Operations at Ras Al Khaimah sea port were not affected, an official said.
Meanwhile, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology has issued another warning, barring sailing, yachting or fishing activities.
No major traffic accidents were reported on account of the weather anywhere in the country.
Reuters reported that oil exports from Saudi Arabia continued as normal despite "foggy weather". Qatar's three main export facilities, shut down over the weekend, reopened on Sunday.
The dusty conditions may take some days to clear, the weather bureau said. The dust, stirred by a massive storm in Iraq's deserts, has gradually spread to Iran, Qatar and the UAE.
An official at a container and cargo terminal at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai said the movement of ships at the port had stopped by 6.45am on Saturday due to poor visibility.
Dubai Ports, the authority in charge of operations at Jebel Ali Port and Port Rashid, said in a statement that "poor visibility due to a sandstorm caused all movement in and out of Jebel Ali terminal to be suspended yesterday [Saturday] at 0630 hrs."
Traffic resumed at about 2pm yesterday, following stepped-up safety measures including additional tugs, Dubai Ports said.
An official at Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi said shipping operations had not stopped although there had been delays.
However, a Reuters report said crude oil exports from Jebel Danna oil terminal had temporarily halted late on Friday, and from Jebel Ali yesterday. Reuters later reported, quoting a shipping source, that Jebel Ali export terminal had reopened yesterday morning.
Al Ruwais and Das Island ports have been closed for at least two days, an Abu Dhabi National Tankers Co (Adnatco) official told Gulf News.
Al Ruwais is responsible for non-oil exports such as polyethylene, sulphur and urea. Das Island Port handles crude and gas exports.
The Adnatco source said there was no information regarding the reopening of any ports.
Operations at Ras Al Khaimah sea port were not affected, an official said.
Meanwhile, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology has issued another warning, barring sailing, yachting or fishing activities.
No major traffic accidents were reported on account of the weather anywhere in the country.
Reuters reported that oil exports from Saudi Arabia continued as normal despite "foggy weather". Qatar's three main export facilities, shut down over the weekend, reopened on Sunday.
