Relevant authorities have confirmed that there is no existing threat to the Port of Charleston following reports of a “dirty bomb” in the containers aboard the boxship Maersk Memphis.
The United States Coast Guard informed that there were 4 containers where threat was posed at Charleston’s Wando terminal, adding that “these have been scanned and cleared by authorities.”
Unified Command determined that there is no threat to the port and concluded that the terminal will reopen.
#update Unified Command determines no existing threat to the port. Terminal will reopen & safety zone has been lifted.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 15, 2017
The safety zone of one nautical mile which was established around the containership earlier today while the investigation was being undertaken, has been lifted.
USCG said that “the original reporting source of the threat in port of Charleston has been detained by authorities for further questioning.”
The authorities were notified of the potential threat at around 8 p.m. local time on June 14.
World Maritime News Staff