Cargo Business Newswire

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Toyota and other carmakers divert shipments from Tianjin

Toyota Motor Corp and other global carmakers are looking to divert shipments to Shanghai and other ports from Tianjin after the devastating explosions last week disrupted operations indefinitely at China's largest auto import hub.

Access has been restricted to areas affected by the Aug. 12 blasts at a hazardous chemicals warehouse that killed at least 114 people. Automakers are struggling to reach lots and warehouses to assess damage and clear thousands of charred cars to make facilities usable, though the port continues to operate.

On Wednesday, Renault and Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries said they would re-route imports to

Shanghai, while Hyundai Motor Co said it would send further shipments to Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Toyota may divert imports to Shanghai and Dalian, which have enough capacity to prevent any significant logistical problems, a Beijing-based executive said.

Toyota suspended its two final assembly lines near Tianjin port this week, partly to assess damages. It made 432,340 cars at the plants in 2014, and is likely to lose 2,200 a day due to the tragedy, said researcher IHS Automotive.

For more of the Reuters story: uk.reuters.com