World War II ordnance removed from Saipan port

An all clear was issued for the Port of Saipan after the discovered unexploded ordnance was removed.

The World War II ordnance was removed before noon yesterday, according to the ports office.

Press secretary Ivan Blanco confirmed to Saipan Tribune the removal of the ordnance, adding that it was brought to the Marpi area for detonation.

Blanco said that, according to U.S. Coast Guard, the unexploded ordnance was about 500 lbs.

Last Friday, an area of the port was closed temporarily after the ordnance was found by a contractor, which was digging for the pipeline project for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

It initially affected delivery of imports including fuel but it also resolved and the port was back to normal Saturday morning.

After reporting to Sector Guam, a Unified Command was assembled which is
led by CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the U.S. Coast
Guard. The UC coordinated the deployment of a specialized U.S Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment from Guam.