Ctg port begins clearing hazardous chemicals after two decades

Chattogram Port Moves First Hazardous Chemical Containers for Disposal

Thebangladaily.com – Chattogram Port has started removing long-stored hazardous chemical consignments that had remained inside the port area for almost 20 years, marking an important step in reducing a persistent safety concern at the country’s busiest seaport.

The first shipment, consisting of nine containers, left Yard 8B around noon on Saturday under heightened security. The vehicles were sent to Wata Chemicals in Rupganj, Narayanganj, where the materials are scheduled to be destroyed through controlled procedures.

First phase covers acids, methanol and thinner

The initial group includes containers carrying several types of potentially dangerous substances. One container holds sulfuric acid and nitric acid, five containers contain methanol, and two containers carry thinner. These substances had been sitting at the port after importers failed to clear the consignments for a range of reasons.

Sulfuric acid and nitric acid require careful handling because they can cause severe damage if released or improperly stored. Methanol is a flammable chemical that can be hazardous to people and the environment, while thinner may also contain volatile materials that need specialised treatment. Moving the cargo to an approved destruction facility is intended to remove those risks from the port yard.

The first convoy’s departure signals the beginning of a wider effort to clear hazardous imports that have been stranded for years. The materials were transported under special security arrangements, reflecting the sensitive nature of the cargo and the need to ensure safe movement from Chattogram to Narayanganj.

Decades-old cargo created a port safety concern

A total of 29 containers holding roughly 81 tonnes of chemicals have remained at Chattogram Port for an extended period. Some consignments were left behind because they were not cleared by importers, while legal complications involving certain shipments contributed to the unusually long delay.

Hazardous cargo is normally subject to strict handling, storage and transport requirements. When such materials remain in a busy port yard for years, the concern extends beyond the containers themselves. Port authorities must consider the safety of workers, nearby operations, surrounding cargo and the wider logistics chain.

Chattogram Port handles a large volume of imports and exports, making efficient use of yard space essential. Containers that cannot be released or disposed of can create operational pressure as well as safety challenges. The removal process therefore addresses both the danger posed by ageing chemical cargo and the need to keep port facilities functional.

The prolonged presence of these chemicals had become a significant security issue, prompting relevant government agencies to begin pursuing a solution. The decision to send the first batch for destruction represents a practical response to a problem that had remained unresolved for many years.

Disposal rather than continued storage

The chemicals are not being transferred for commercial use. They are being taken to Wata Chemicals in Rupganj for safe destruction. This distinction is important because old, abandoned or legally disputed chemical consignments may no longer be suitable for normal distribution, particularly after lengthy storage periods.

Safe disposal involves more than simply removing containers from the port. It requires secure transport, proper receiving arrangements and a facility able to handle hazardous substances in a controlled setting. The special security measures used for the convoy underline the care needed throughout that process.

For nearby communities and port workers, the clearing initiative offers reassurance that authorities are acting on a long-standing concern. The removal of the first nine containers is only an early phase, however, as 20 containers containing other hazardous materials are still to be addressed.

The wider clearance effort will need to continue with the same level of oversight to ensure that every remaining container is identified, moved safely and handled through the appropriate disposal process. The legal and administrative issues that delayed the consignments in the first place will also need to be resolved where necessary.

A step toward safer port operations

The departure of the initial batch from Yard 8B is a visible development in efforts to manage hazardous legacy cargo at Chattogram Port. After years of inaction and complications, the movement of the containers to Narayanganj begins to reduce the volume of dangerous materials being kept inside the port.

While nine containers have now begun their journey to destruction, the remaining stock highlights the scale of the challenge. Clearing all 29 containers and approximately 81 tonnes of chemicals will be important for improving safety conditions and freeing the port from a burden that has persisted for nearly two decades.

The operation also illustrates why hazardous imports require timely clearance and strong coordination among port authorities, government agencies, importers, legal authorities and disposal facilities. When such coordination is delayed, the consequences can remain visible for years.

Saturday’s convoy was therefore more than a routine cargo movement. It was the first concrete stage in removing a long-standing hazard from one of Bangladesh’s most important trade gateways, with the chemicals now headed for destruction at the Rupganj facility.