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Another firm averts Tinian stevedoring crisis
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Posted on Dec 03 2011
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Another firm has stepped up to the plate, albeit temporarily, to try to avert a stevedoring crisis on Tinian since the closure of Tinian Stevedore.
Norman Tenorio, one of the directors of Tinian Marine Stevedore, said TMS is looking at moving five 20-foot containers from Saipan to Tinian if not on Sunday, then on Monday.
He said the company is looking at whether their equipment on Tinian for uploading containers can handle the chore.
“If not, we’ll do it manually,” Tenorio told Saipan Tribune.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) wrote a letter to Tenorio, asking assistance from Saipan Stevedore Co. Inc. in providing relief to Tinian through the provision of stevedoring services on a temporary basis, until a permanent solution can be identified.
Tenorio, who is also president of Saipan Stevedore, an affiliate company of TMS, said he got Sablan’s letter on Thursday.
“We are trying to help out. We’re looking at moving the five containers at the Saipan port to Tinian if not this Sunday then on Monday,” he said.
Senate Vice President Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian) called for a meeting yesterday morning with officials from Saipan Stevedore and the Commonwealth Ports Authority to help resolve the lack of stevedoring services on Tinian.
Hofschneider, chairman of the Tinian Legislative Delegation, said they’re thankful for Tinian Marine Stevedore/Saipan Stevedore for stepping up in this time of need.
Rep. Trenton Conner (R-Tinian), one of the shareholders of the now closed Tinian Stevedore, said they tried to stay in business but the operational costs were just too high.
“If the business venture is no longer sustainable, there’s no reason to maintain that business. Since we ceased operation on Oct. 31, I don’t think there’s been any stevedoring service on Tinian,” he said.
