Amid public anxiety surrounding a vessel loaded with ammonium nitrate in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, officials maintain that stringent safety measures are in place. Despite a history of environmental incidents, the port boss assures locals about the cargo’s security and calls for calm.
Safety Assured for Ammonium Nitrate Cargo at Ivory Coast Port
Safety Assured for Ammonium Nitrate Cargo at Ivory Coast Port
Ivorian port authorities address public concerns regarding a hazardous ammonium nitrate shipment, asserting compliance with safety protocols.
In Abidjan, the bustling heart of Ivory Coast, port authorities have moved to quell safety concerns following the arrival of a ship carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, an agricultural fertilizer with explosive potential. This chemical is notorious for its role in devastating explosions, including the tragic incident in Beirut four years ago.
While ammonium nitrate is routinely employed in farming, its association with catastrophic events has sowed fear within the local population. Recent reports indicated that a portion of the same shipment had been dumped off the coast of England due to contamination, prompting environmental concerns about hazardous materials.
Ivorian officials, including port director Hien Yacouba Sie, have reinforced their commitment to safety management, stating that the cargo aboard the Zimrida underwent rigorous checks prior to its arrival eight days ago. To reassure the public, officials facilitated media access to the vessel, showcasing the secure storage of the chemical in white bags within its holds. Nevertheless, the presence of a fire truck stationed on the quay served as a stark reminder of the potential risks involved.
Despite these demonstrations of safety, residents retain a cautious mindset given past experiences, particularly with a toxic waste incident in the early 2000s that left a lasting impact on the community. Local authorities, however, point out that ammonium nitrate is a common import and that over 40,000 tonnes were successfully unloaded at the port the previous year without any incidents.
Environmental watchdog Robin des Bois has criticized the port’s role as a temporary storage location for the ammonium nitrate, insisting that the cargo should be expeditiously dispatched to its intended buyer. In its current state, approximately 7,600 tonnes of the chemical are earmarked for agricultural use in Ivory Coast, while the remaining cargo is to be delivered to Angola and Tanzania.
As safety protocols remain in emphasizes and despite the unease in the community, port authorities urge the population to remain calm as precautions are taken to ensure the safe handling of the hazardous shipment.
