KUALA LUMPUR: Ammonium nitrate, commonly used as a nitrogen-containing fertiliser, is a common cargo at many ports.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chief executive officer Sasedharan Vasudevan said ammonium nitrate is a known component for fertiliser, as well as its more ominous use in bomb-making.
"(But) most ammonium nitrate that comes into Malaysia is for fertiliser," he said yesterday.
He said ammonium nitrate was classified as "dangerous goods" and fall under Class 5 (Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides) of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Class 5 is further divided into two; 5.1 (oxidising substances), which ammonium nitrate belongs to, and 5.1 (organic peroxides).
He said all ports in the country had their own regulations and regulated by the Malaysian Port Authorities.
"We have our procedures, including how to transport dangerous goods by road. At the same time, we have to follow the IMDG standard that regulates how ports handle dangerous goods," he said, adding that ports in Malaysia had the facilities to handle and store ammonium nitrate.
In the case of the Beirut blast, Sasedharan said the ammonium nitrate was stored for several years.
Asked on how long cargo could be stored at ports, he said it depended on the contract.
"Usually, if they don't claim the cargo after more than 30 days, the Customs Department or the port authority has the right to seize the cargo. Just like the plastic waste issue, where Customs took over the plastic waste and found a way to dispose of it by re-exporting or finding a new buyer."
He said Malaysian ports usually do not allow two types of goods under the IMDG Codes Class 1 (Explosive Materials) and Class 7 (Radioactive Materials).
"Even if cargo is being discharged, it will not be stored at the port but will be immediately driven out under certain escort and special approval, otherwise most ports will say no to these types of dangerous goods."
He said with any cargo, there would always a chemical reaction if it was stored for too long.
"That's why we have another rule called dangerous goods segregation, where a certain class of cargo shouldn't be sitting together.
"There is a segregation rule of how far apart they must be stored, be it in the yard or on board the ship.
"The shipping industry is very highly regulated, where the rules are regularly updated and all ports are expected to comply."
Northport (Malaysia) Bhd said it had the facilities to handle containerised ammonium nitrate.
"The capacity threshold is 700 tonnes set by Port Klang Authority (PKA) at any one time for a maximum period of 72 hours for import and export containers and 120 hours for transshipment containers.
"All containerised ammonium nitrate shipment is well planned in our container yards with strict adherence to segregation requirement and procedures set by the port authority, PKA and Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH).
"However, we do not have stockpile of ammonium nitrate as we are not allowed to store this chemical compound in our warehouses," it said in response to questions from the New Straits Times.
On safety measures on storing and handling of ammonium nitrate and other chemicals, Northport said it strictly complied with relevant regulations and procedures set by the authorities, such as DOSH and PKA.
"Safety measures on maximum handling threshold, firemen on standby requirement, chemical storage segregation rules and chemical handling management procedures are among the stringent procedures and requirements that Northport is adhering to.
"Northport will continue to work closely with the authorities to ensure the safety elements at its port are in compliance with the specified rules and procedures."
Prof Dr Jamal Hisham Hashim, who is managing director of Provenue Corporation Sdn Bhd, an environmental, health and safety consultant, said ammonium nitrate was not highly toxic to humans as it was used as a high-nitrogen fertiliser in agriculture.
"When ammonium nitrate is combusted or exploded, it decomposes to nitrogen, oxygen, and water, which are harmless to humans and the environment.
"The major damage to lives and environment is from the explosion itself."
Jamal said ammonium nitrate was often used as a component in explosive mixtures, due to its combustibility and explosivity potential when combined with other explosives or fuel oil.
"Therefore, I would not expect any residual, post-explosion toxicity to humans or the environment, unless there were other chemicals involved in the fire and explosion as well."
Beirut on Tuesday was the scene of a massive blast and shockwave at a warehouse at its port, where explosive material was believed to have been stored.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said about 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored without safety measures for six years at a warehouse at the port.