‘Toxic container ship’ has not entered Thailand – out of Thai territorial waters

'Monporn' confirms that the 'toxic container ship' has not entered Thailand and has left Thai territorial waters. He has ordered the 'Port Authority' to not be careless and has set up a team to continuously monitor and strictly control smuggling of toxic substances through all channels. He insists that he is operating in accordance with national safety and security standards. Ms. Manop Jareonsri, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that according to foreign media reports, there will be 2 toxic cargo ships carrying more than 100 containers of toxic dust from the steelmaking process using an electric arc furnace from Albania heading to Laem Chabang Port on August 20, 2024. The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) recently received confirmation from shipping representatives that the toxic cargo ships have already left Thai territorial waters. However, the Port Authority of Thailand has ordered Laem Chabang Port to cooperate with relevant government agencies to continue its efforts and keep a close watch to prev ent the smuggling of toxic substances into Thailand through all channels. The Port Authority has also been instructed to operate in accordance with safety standards and national security. Mr. Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, Director of the Port Authority of Thailand, said that the Port Authority has been closely monitoring the toxic cargo ship and has taken strict action in accordance with the orders of the Deputy Minister of Transport, by coordinating with various government agencies such as the Maritime Interests Protection Center (MCO), the National Security Council, the Department of Industrial Works, the Customs Department, etc. throughout the past period. The shipping line representative confirmed that Maersk's ships will not have regular routes in Thailand and that the ship has now left Thai territorial waters. However, to be on the safe side, Laem Chabang Port has been ordered to continue its vigilance in accordance with the Port Authority's regulations on dangerous goods practices at Laem Chabang Port 2016 and the safety and security standards of the nation.- Source: Thai News Agency