www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story.php?/1/60588/Lead-sh -
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Published on: 2/8/2008
Last Visited: 2/8/2008
The Lucy Oldendorff wanted to load tonnes of lupins at the Esperance and Albany ports this week but was refused entry because it was polluted from a previous cargo of lead sulphide, Albany Port chief executive Brad Williamson says.
"This is the first time I've refused a ship entry, so it's quite an unusual event for ports," Mr Williamson said.
"The ship was (initially) denied entry to the Esperance port due to the presence of lead dust on the ship's superstructure and within her holds."
It went out to sea to be cleaned before coming back to request a berth for more comprehensive cleaning, he said.
But Esperance port, at the centre of a lead scare in the southwest town last year, refused the request.
So, too, did Albany Port and later Bunbury, Mr Williamson said.
It is not unusual for ships to fail survey tests, necessitating cleaning before they are allowed to load grain, he said, but lead poses special problems.
The vessel is understood to be returning to Port Pirie.