CHATTOGRAM: None of the 19 private ICDs has the permission or infrastructure necessary for storing and handling chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, sources said, expressing fear that the facilities are highly risky for continuing export-import activities.
This frustrating picture was exposed following the deadly fire incident at BM Containers Limited, a private ICD at Shitakundu in Chattogram, leaving at least 43 dead and more than 200 injured.
Officials at the Department of Explosives, however, said they had no information whether the private inland container depots (ICDs) are now storing and handling such dangerous chemicals.
The ICDs have no licences from the Department of Explosives and the Department of Environment (DoE) for storing or handling chemicals.
All the private ICDs and Chittagong port should take special measures for handling the dangerous chemicals, Mahbubul Alam, president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Port Users Forum, told the FE.
Inspector of the Department of Explosives Tofazzal Hossein said hydrogen peroxide is a kind of chemical that is highly flammable and its storage requires special infrastructure.
The private ICDs have to construct special infrastructure having a temperature control system, he said, adding that a temperature control system is also needed for storing hydrogen peroxide.
It also needed to ensure that there is no locality in the adjacent areas of such a depot, he said. "But, unfortunately, there is no special infrastructure to store this kind of chemicals at any of the private ICDs."
The inspector of explosives also informed that the BM container depot authorities had not even informed the directorate about storing such a huge quantity of the chemicals. "The BM container neither has such a facility to store the chemicals nor obtained any licence from the Department of Explosives."
Mofidul Alam, Director at the Department of Environment (DoE), said that after developing necessary facilities, one has to obtain a 'Red Category' licence for storing chemicals.
But all the 19 private ICDs in Bangladesh, including the BM container depot, obtained 'Orange Category' licence to store and handle containers and export goods like readymade garment (RMG) and food items. "The private ICDs, including BM Container Depot, had no authority to store chemicals like hydrogen peroxide."
President of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA) Nurul Qayyum Khan said the private ICDs have the permission to import 38 goods that do not include chemicals like hydrogen peroxide.
However, Bangladesh has been exporting hydrogen peroxide for the last 15 years, and stressed the need for special management and infrastructures to handle chemicals in the ICDs.
He urged the government to formulate necessary rules and regulations for handling chemicals in the private ICDs that would include development of special infrastructures, control of temperature, and setting up such ICDs away from the locality.
Meanwhile, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) on Monday sold 30 tonnes of hydrogen peroxide at Tk 520,000 on spot auction.
A total of 15 bidders took part in the auction and M/S Alhaj Yakub Ali procured the chemicals at the highest rate.
Official (Auction) of Chittagong Customs House Ali Reja said that the spot auction was arranged after the blast at BM container depot.
