357 Unsecured Hazardous Containers at Chattogram Port, Risk of Explosion with Radioactive Materials

Staff Correspondent

There are 357 containers carrying dangerous chemicals and radioactive materials lying unprotected at Chittagong Port. Of these, 12 are suspected to contain radioactive materials. The port authorities fear that a terrible accident like the Beirut port explosion in Lebanon could occur at any time.

Containers of hazardous chemicals

According to the port authority, these containers, which are at least 10 to 20 years old, contain high-risk chemicals such as sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, methanol, zinc oxide, phosphoric acid, caustic soda and ethyl acetate. Over time, many of the containers have become damaged and chemicals are leaking out.

Liquid chemicals had already leaked from several 14-year-old containers, which were removed in 2024.

Currently, these containers are spread across various locations in the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), Newmooring Container Terminal (NCT), and the overflow yard.

According to one statistic, there are at least 9 containers loaded with sulfuric acid, sodium sulfate, and calcium carbonate alone. On the other hand, 134 containers contain highly hazardous chemicals, which have long been labeled as ‘high risk’.

Presence of radioactive materials

Not only chemicals, but also radioactive materials have been found at the port. On August 6, radioactivity was detected in a container from Brazil. Imported under the guise of scrap iron, three types of radionuclide isotopes—thorium-232, radium-226, and iridium-192—were detected in this container. Initial tests found the level of radioactivity to be one microsievert.

The container is currently isolated, awaiting a full examination by the Atomic Energy Commission.

According to customs documents, there are 12 more containers suspected of containing radioactive materials. These include four belonging to Abul Khair Group, two belonging to KSRM, two belonging to Citadel Global Corporation, one belonging to Anwar Ispat Limited, two belonging to SS Steel Limited and one belonging to Messrs. Sajjad Hossain.

These mainly contain zinc oxide mixed materials and steel scrap. Among them, one container, identified in 2017, has not yet been removed.

Radioactivity has been detected in the past as well.

The issue of radioactivity at Chittagong Port is not new. In 2014, radioactive material was detected for the first time in a container sent from Chittagong to Colombo Port in Sri Lanka. Later, when it was brought back, Bangladeshi scientists isolated the substance called ‘radium beryllium’. The container was found to emit 12,000 microsieverts of radiation per hour, which is extremely dangerous.

Experts’ warning

Former chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and physicist Masud Kamal said, “Extreme caution must be taken when using radioactive sources in research, medicine and industry. It must be stored in such a way that radiation does not escape. But if these materials are left in the port area for a long time, they can cause serious harm to the human body and the environment.”

Authority position

“We have already sent more than a dozen letters to customs,” said Omar Faruk, secretary of Chittagong Port. “Although some containers have been removed, more than 350 dangerous containers are still lying at the port. Of these, 12 containers suspected of being radioactive have been kept in a special place. It is important to remove them quickly to avoid risks.”

Assistant Commissioner of Chittagong Customs House Md. Sakib Hossain said, “We are gradually emptying dangerous containers to reduce the risk. 42 containers were emptied last July. 50 more will be emptied this month.”

However, Joint Commissioner of Customs Mohammad Marufur Rahman said, “After the detection of radioactivity, the unloading of the containers has been suspended and they have been kept in a separate place. They cannot be auctioned without the approval of the Atomic Energy Commission after the test.”

The port authorities say they have written to customs several times. Customs has also written to the Atomic Energy Commission. Due to this tendency to avoid responsibility, risky containers have been lying at the port for years.

According to experts, if this neglect continues, Chittagong Port and surrounding towns could face a terrible disaster.

In Short

Chittagong Port is the main seaport of the country. Millions of tons of goods are imported and exported here every day. But dangerous containers lying in an unprotected state for a long time have now become a major threat to human life, environment and economy. If effective measures are not taken quickly, an overwhelming accident can happen at any time.