23-year-old chemicals being removed from Chattogram port

The process of safely disposing of 150 tons of hazardous chemicals that had been stored inside the restricted area of Chattogram Port for 23 years has begun using environmentally sound methods.

On Saturday morning, in the presence of members of the Chemical Destruction Committee, nine containers carrying the hazardous chemicals left the port under special security arrangements for Wata Chemicals Limited in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj.

The first shipment contains 106 tons of chemicals. The remaining stock will be transported to the facility in phases.

Russel Ahmed, assistant commissioner of Chattogram Customs House, said the timely initiative to destroy the expired and unusable acid-based products was taken to ensure overall port security and reduce container congestion.

According to port sources, the chemicals had been lying in the port's storage sheds since 2003, creating a hazardous situation. The consignments include 25 tons of sulfuric acid, 500 kilograms of nitric acid, 92 tons of methanol and 32 tons of thinner.

The Chemical Destruction Committee said the waste disposal operation was being carried out under a government decision, based on recommendations from the Bangladesh National Authority under the Chemical Weapons Convention and under the supervision of the Customs House.

The chemicals will be destroyed at Wata Chemicals Limited's facility in Narayanganj using environmentally friendly methods in compliance with established regulations.

Customs authorities have previously taken initiatives to remove hazardous chemicals and waste that had accumulated at the port. In 2021, 25 tons of hazardous chemicals that had been stored in Shed P for 20 years were transported to the LafargeHolcim cement plant in Chhatak, Sunamganj, for disposal.

On August 24, Chattogram Customs House also disposed of 126 containers of waste, including 935 tons of spoiled dates in 34 containers and 1,002 tons of expired soda ash in 40 containers.