Tianjin, the port gateway to Beijing, is a major base for petrochemicals, refining and other industries. ISS said that it understood the port authority had arranged some unberthing of bulk ships from midday on Thursday local time, but there was no schedule for vessels berthing and it was unknown when the terminals would re-open.
Normal operating conditions continued for the loading/discharge of bulk cargo (eg coal, iron ore) and general cargo in Tianjin Xingang port.
ISS Tianjin is operating as normal and will continue to monitor developments and keep its clients updated, the agency said.
Reuters had earlier reported that explosions at Tianjin had disrupted chemical and oil tankers entering and leaving the port.
Two huge explosions tore through an industrial area where toxic chemicals and gas were stored in Tianjin, killing up to 50 people and injuring as many as 700, officials and state media said on Thursday.
A crew member on board the VLCC ‘Samco Europe’ confirmed they had been told to stop discharging their crude oil cargo on Thursday morning.
"The port authority told the ship to stop because there is still a risk of explosion due to the fire. They wanted all activity stopped," said one of the officers on board the ship, adding it was unclear when reloading could restart, Reuters reported.
Tianjin is the home port for some of China's strategic oil reserves, which the government is currently filling up.
Reuters shipping data showed that there were currently more than two dozen tankers, including oil and products, in the Tianjin port region, either waiting to enter or leave the harbour zone.