Hazardous chemicals sent to N’Ganj for destruction

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 3: Nine containers laden with 150.89 tonnes of expired and unusable hazardous chemicals have been sent to Narayanganj from Chattogram Port for environmentally compliant destruction.

The containers laden with sulphuric acid, nitric acid, methanol and thinner that have remained at the port for more than two decades.

According to Chattogram Customs House sources, the removal began since 10 am on Saturday to improve port safety and ease congestion caused by long-stored containers.

The containers hold 25.55 tonnes of sulphuric acid, 500kg of nitric acid, 92.54 tonnes of methanol and 32.30 tonnes of thinner, sources said.

Mohammad Russell Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner of Customs House, Chattogram, told journalists that the chemicals are being removed for safe destruction following recommendations from the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (BNACWC).

“The destruction of hazardous chemicals stored in nine containers  is to ensure Chattogram port’s safety and reduce container congestion,” he said.  Containers left Chattogram port for Narayanganj under police escort, in the presence of members of the Customs destruction committee.

The chemicals will be destroyed through an environmentally friendly and legally compliant process by Wata Chemicals Ltd at Murapara in Rupganj, Narayanganj.

The Chattogram Port Authority, Chattogram Metropolitan Police, district administration, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Explosives, Department of Environment and Ansar Battalion are assisting in the destruction.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Chattogram Customs authorities initiated this targeted removal drive to significantly mitigate fire safety risks, eliminate chemical contamination hazards, and ease severe container congestion at the country's primary seaport.  

The chemicals had remained at the port after being imported but not cleared for various reasons. Legal complications surrounding some of the consignments also contributed to the prolonged storage.  

According to port sources, a total of 29 containers containing chemicals have been stranded at the port for years.  The prolonged presence of the hazardous materials had become a significant security concern for the port, prompting government agencies to take initiatives to resolve the issue. As part of the process, the first nine containers have been removed from Chattogram Port on Saturday.