Authorities have moved a large stock of hazardous chemicals that had remained at Chattogram Port for more than two decades. Nine containers carrying a combined 150.89 tonnes of chemicals were transported on Saturday to a Wata Chemicals facility in Rupganj, Narayanganj, under security and environmental supervision. Officials said the containers had been lying at the port since 2003.

The consignment included sulfuric acid, nitric acid, methanol and thinner, materials that can pose serious fire, leakage, corrosion and environmental risks when stored for long periods. Their removal reduces a persistent safety concern in one of Bangladesh’s busiest trade gateways, where hazardous cargo requires careful segregation and time-bound handling.

The containers were moved under a coordinated plan involving the port and relevant government agencies, with law-enforcement support during transport. At the destination, the chemicals are expected to be identified, separated and handled under applicable environmental and safety procedures before disposal, treatment or other authorised processing.

The operation also underlines a broader port-management challenge. Abandoned, unclaimed or long-stored dangerous goods need routine inventory reviews, clear legal responsibility and rapid disposal mechanisms. Removing old hazardous cargo is not simply a storage issue; it is an important part of preventing industrial accidents and protecting workers, nearby communities and the environment.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Featured image: illustrative; Unsplash/Noel Broda.