Dalian harbor, the largest in northeastern China, is now back in full operation four days after a pipeline explosion caused a large quantity of oil to spill into the waters of the port.

 

Located at the southern end of Liaodong Bay, Dalian is the major gateway to Northeast China and considered the country's vital oil trans-shipment hub.

Following the oil pipeline explosion, part of the port was sealed to ensure shipping safety. About four-hundred-and-20 vessels have entered or left the harbor in the past four days.

The Maritime Affairs Administration of Liaoning Province says the port was fully re-opened to traffic late Tuesday afternoon. The authority says waterways affected by the oil spill have been largely cleared, allowing shipping to resume.

However, clean-up work continues with nearly six-hundred ships deployed in the affected area.

Hou Jianghua, Director-General, Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration, said, We are doing our best to enclose the oil slick on the water near Dalian. I'm confident that we have everything under control. The drifting oil will not leave Dalian and flow to the open seas.

The State Oceanic Administration says that as of July 20th, the oil covers about 38 square kilometers of water.