THE Chattogram Port has been a safe harbour of hazardous cargo for years that may lead to a mass disaster like Beirut blast that killed at least 135 people, damaged the port and instigated nationwide anti-government protest for bureaucratic indifference, widespread corruption, misrule and greed. Like the Lebanon port, country’s premier port in Chattogram has also been witnessing chemical and other inflammable goods laden cargo lying around at the designated shed and yards imported between one to 28 years ago.
Usually, two categories of extremely hazardous goods are delivered from the port immediately after import. Other categories of hazardous goods are kept at the P-shed, from where those are then delivered. Containers carrying hazardous goods are also kept at the container yards. According to CPA data, various types of chemical and hazardous goods — which were imported between 1992 and 2019 — are currently kept in around 55 pallets, 13 drums, and around 900 packages. Port users have urged safe management of such dangerous cargo to avert a potentially devastating accident like the recent explosion at Beirut Port.
Though there have been no significant steps taken over the years regarding the removal of these hazardous goods from the port, in the last few days, the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has actively begun looking into the handling of these cargoes to avert such an incident. In the latest move, CPA formed a six-member committee to assess the current condition of hazardous cargoes in the P-shed of the Port. Out of the 14 sheds in the Port, P-shed is designated for storing dangerous and hazardous goods detected as per the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Importers need to get delivery of their imported goods within 30 days after the consignments are unloaded from ships at the Port jetty. If they fail to get delivery within the 30 days, the port authorities send the import documents of those consignments to the Customs Authorities which give notice to the importer. The government should see whether existing law and regulations of different authorities including Customs, Port, Explosive Department, environment and other related offices regarding handling, storing and delivery of hazardous goods are adequate.
Dangerous chemicals are also there in our seaports and we do not want any Beirut type hazard to happen. Our port officials are not to be blamed as such but the fact remains never before the government officials had an easy unaccountable life. We urge them to be serious about their own duties.
Usually, two categories of extremely hazardous goods are delivered from the port immediately after import. Other categories of hazardous goods are kept at the P-shed, from where those are then delivered. Containers carrying hazardous goods are also kept at the container yards. According to CPA data, various types of chemical and hazardous goods — which were imported between 1992 and 2019 — are currently kept in around 55 pallets, 13 drums, and around 900 packages. Port users have urged safe management of such dangerous cargo to avert a potentially devastating accident like the recent explosion at Beirut Port.
Though there have been no significant steps taken over the years regarding the removal of these hazardous goods from the port, in the last few days, the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has actively begun looking into the handling of these cargoes to avert such an incident. In the latest move, CPA formed a six-member committee to assess the current condition of hazardous cargoes in the P-shed of the Port. Out of the 14 sheds in the Port, P-shed is designated for storing dangerous and hazardous goods detected as per the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Importers need to get delivery of their imported goods within 30 days after the consignments are unloaded from ships at the Port jetty. If they fail to get delivery within the 30 days, the port authorities send the import documents of those consignments to the Customs Authorities which give notice to the importer. The government should see whether existing law and regulations of different authorities including Customs, Port, Explosive Department, environment and other related offices regarding handling, storing and delivery of hazardous goods are adequate.
Dangerous chemicals are also there in our seaports and we do not want any Beirut type hazard to happen. Our port officials are not to be blamed as such but the fact remains never before the government officials had an easy unaccountable life. We urge them to be serious about their own duties.
