Despite historical fears and a previous environmental disaster, authorities insist on the safety of the cargo after a thorough inspection.
**Safety Concerns Downplayed Over Ammonium Nitrate at Ivory Coast Port**
**Safety Concerns Downplayed Over Ammonium Nitrate at Ivory Coast Port**
Ivorian officials assure residents that stringent safety measures have been adhered to regarding a vessel carrying ammonium nitrate.
In the bustling port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, apprehensions have escalated among local residents concerning a boat moored with a cargo of 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, the same substance linked to the tragic explosion in Lebanon four years prior. Port authorities, led by Abidjan port chief Hien Yacouba Sie, have dismissed the safety anxieties, asserting that all stringent protocols have been satisfied regarding the hazardous material.
Ammonium nitrate, while commonly utilized as an agricultural fertilizer, is renowned for its explosive potential when mishandled. The vessel carrying this cargo and having previously sailed from Russia has turned into a source of concern, especially following incidents of similar materials being improperly disposed of, like the one in England last year, which a local official labeled "environmental terrorism."
Retracing the journey of this ammonium nitrate shipment, it was temporarily offloaded on the coast of England due to fuel contamination. Subsequently, it was relocated to the Zimrida, the ship docked in Abidjan eight days ago. Port authorities disclosed that the boat is anchored in the outer harbor as a preventative measure, amidst allegations of potential hazards to the inhabitants of the city, which boasts a population of over six million.
To provide reassurance and transparency, officials organized a media tour of Zimrida, enabling journalists from the BBC and other outlets to inspect the cargo. Onboard, numerous white sacks of the ammonium nitrate were visible, while officials highlighted the presence of a fire truck stationed on the dock – a cautioned yet provocative indicator of the material’s risks. However, when pressed on why the unloading had not yet occurred, port representative Aboubakar Toto emphasized adherence to protocol awaiting the forthcoming clearance for unloading.
Environmental organization Robin des Bois has criticized the use of the port as a storage location for hazardous materials, urging immediate shipping to their destination to mitigate risks. Yet Ivorian authorities affirm that the delivery of ammonium nitrate is routine, citing that more than 40,000 tonnes were unloaded without incident in 2024 alone. Of the shipment currently aboard the Zimrida, a notable 7,600 tonnes are intended for agricultural use within Ivory Coast, with the remaining cargo set for delivery to Angola and Tanzania once the vessel departs.
Ammonium nitrate, while commonly utilized as an agricultural fertilizer, is renowned for its explosive potential when mishandled. The vessel carrying this cargo and having previously sailed from Russia has turned into a source of concern, especially following incidents of similar materials being improperly disposed of, like the one in England last year, which a local official labeled "environmental terrorism."
Retracing the journey of this ammonium nitrate shipment, it was temporarily offloaded on the coast of England due to fuel contamination. Subsequently, it was relocated to the Zimrida, the ship docked in Abidjan eight days ago. Port authorities disclosed that the boat is anchored in the outer harbor as a preventative measure, amidst allegations of potential hazards to the inhabitants of the city, which boasts a population of over six million.
To provide reassurance and transparency, officials organized a media tour of Zimrida, enabling journalists from the BBC and other outlets to inspect the cargo. Onboard, numerous white sacks of the ammonium nitrate were visible, while officials highlighted the presence of a fire truck stationed on the dock – a cautioned yet provocative indicator of the material’s risks. However, when pressed on why the unloading had not yet occurred, port representative Aboubakar Toto emphasized adherence to protocol awaiting the forthcoming clearance for unloading.
Environmental organization Robin des Bois has criticized the use of the port as a storage location for hazardous materials, urging immediate shipping to their destination to mitigate risks. Yet Ivorian authorities affirm that the delivery of ammonium nitrate is routine, citing that more than 40,000 tonnes were unloaded without incident in 2024 alone. Of the shipment currently aboard the Zimrida, a notable 7,600 tonnes are intended for agricultural use within Ivory Coast, with the remaining cargo set for delivery to Angola and Tanzania once the vessel departs.
