Maritime traffic control lifted in northeast China

Authorities lifted a partial ban on maritime traffic at a major northeast China port, four days after explosions hit crude oil pipelines, causing a lingering oil spill that has spread to tourist beaches. The Maritime Affairs Administration of Liaoning Province reported that the ports in Dalian City have fully re-opened to traffic as waterways affected by the oil slick have been largely cleared for the resumption of shipping. Authorities said they assisted about 420 vessels that were diverted to Dalian’s ports during the past four days due to shipping restrictions brought on by the oil spill. But local officials said oil shipments from Dalian, which lies at the heart of northeast China’s crude oil production base and is considered the country’s vital oil trans-shipment destination, would not be immediately restored. (July 21, 2010)