By Bangladesh correspondent 10/06/2022
PSA Singapore will no longer accept containers full of
hydrogen peroxide at its terminals, following the fatal fire and
explosion at a Chittagong depot, which claimed more than 40 lives.
“Following the recent fatal explosion on 4 June 2022 at one of the
container facilities in Bangladesh, we have observed a significant spike
in the number of containers containing hydrogen peroxide being
discharged in PSA Terminals,” the operator said in an advisory on
Thursday.
It said hydrogen peroxide is an explosive precursor, controlled by
Singapore Police Force (SPF). There is a limit to the quantity permitted
by SPF for licensed storage in PSA Terminals. The spike has resulted in
a rising stockpile of hydrogen peroxide in PSA yards.
“To keep this DG inventory level within the safety limit prescribed
by the authorities, we need to take immediate measures to stop accepting
hydrogen peroxide containers until the inventory level goes back to
normal,” said PSA Singapore in a letter to all shipping lines.
The port operator said it will work closely with the shipping lines
to facilitate the smooth handling of these containers “should they
overstow containers that are meant for Singapore discharge”.
The fire at BM Container Depot and subsequent blasts from boxes of
hydrogen peroxide on Saturday night has created concern among apparel
exporters and others over the proper management of dangerous goods in
Bangladeshi ports and terminals.
The fire has gutted millions of dollars-worth of export and import
cargo. As the depot’s operations remain suspended, the shipment of
several hundreds of unaffected containers has also become uncertain.
Syed Nazrul Islam, first vice president, Bangladesh Garment
Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), while visiting the
depot on Thursday, called on the authorities to allow the shipment of
unaffected boxes immediately.
“We urge the authorities concerned to give permission for the
immediate shipment of unaffected containers by using other depots, to
keep the supply chain intact,” he said.
On Thursday, the government formed an investigation committee, which has visited the depot to examine how the fire started.
They have collated a list of containers holding garments and
chemicals, and a list of exporters and importers which use the BM Depot.