Ports and Logistics

Meth busts spark random drugs tests at NZ port

Random drug tests are being carried out at Port Chalmers, New Zealand’s most southerly major port, after five people handling heavy machinery tested positive for methamphetamine use over the past three months. The five people have been dismissed.

“These are team members driving 60-tonne straddles. Their levels have been impaired. Driving a 60-tonne machine, taking a Class A drug, clearly that is serious misconduct,” the port’s chief executive, Kevin Winders, told the local Otago Daily Times.

Port Chalmers is located to the northeast of Dunedin on New Zealand’s south island and handles logs, containers and a growing stream of cruiseships.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

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