Sandy disrupts container ships' schedules

FRIDAY, NOV. 2: Hurricane Sandy has played havoc with the schedules of the island’s container ships.

The Bermuda Islander is currently running around three days behind time and should be the first vessel into port when she arrives in Hamilton on Sunday.

While the Oleander has been forced to cancel her trip altogether this week because of “unprecedented damage” caused to the port in New Jersey.

However the delays and cancellations are not expected to impact significantly on supermarket stocks and refrigerated supplies.

The Islander, which was in Salem, New Jersey, at the time the storm hit the east cost of the US was expected to leave for Bermuda on Tuesday. But she was forced to return to port after mechanical problems at sea.

A spokesperson for the ship’s agent Meyer Freight said: “After departure yesterday (Tuesday), the Bermuda Islander suffered a temporary loss of the main engine and had to return to the Salem pier.

“She is currently alongside in Salem and the cause of the power loss is being investigated. We hope she will be ready to sail later today (Wednesday), pushing her arrival to Sunday, November 4.” The Islander did eventually leave Salem yesterday and will continue to run behind schedule for the next few weeks.

But she is expected to be back on her normal schedule of Thursday arrivals by November 22.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday Bermuda Container Line announced it had been forced to cancel the Oleander’s next planned trip which was due to arrive on Monday. A BCL statement said: “At this point we do not have a status update on the terminal in NJ, or the roads leading in.

“We do know that our employees in the area are safe, but unable to get to the office. They will be contactable via e-mail and as soon as their phone system comes on line, we will route calls to Bermuda.

“We have heard from a number of shippers throughout the area who are without electricity, but are working to get back to normal as soon as possible.

“This extra time will also enable us to be able to ensure that the containers you receive are not contaminated with flood waters and safe to use.”

• The island’s third container ship, Somers Isle, is due to arrive from Florida next Wednesday.