Hull and Goole’s ports to review ammonium nitrate storage after Beirut blast

French and Lebanese firemen search in the rubble of a building after the Tuesday explosion at the seaport of Beirut, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, August 6, 2020.  (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).French and Lebanese firemen search in the rubble of a building after the Tuesday explosion at the seaport of Beirut, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, August 6, 2020.  (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).
French and Lebanese firemen search in the rubble of a building after the Tuesday explosion at the seaport of Beirut, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, August 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).
The owner of Hull and Goole’s ports has launched a review into ammonium nitrate storage following an explosion in Beirut on Tuesday.

Associated British Ports (ABP) said UK ports which store the chemical, commonly used as a fertiliser, were subject to strict regulations.

But the company added it had launched further checks on ammonium nitrate kept in their ports to ensure storage standards were being met.

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It follows the blast in the Lebanese capital which killed at least 100, injured thousands more and levelled nearby buildings believed to have been caused by improperly storing the chemical, according to authorities there.

Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy said he had sought assurances from ABP and the police that storage procedures in Humber ports were safe.

Mr Percy added it was wrong to draw comparisons between British and Lebanese chemical storage standards and said the UK’s were among the highest in the world.

But Goole town councillor Keith Moore said he was concerned over hazardous substance consent granted to store the chemical at Goole Port’s Caldaire Terminal in 2013.

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Cllr Moore said there had been a “huge debate” over whether to approve the hazardous substance consent granted for Goole in 2013.

Cllr Moore said: “We were concerned about it being close to the centre of town and getting washed into drains.

“Goole Town Council recommended that the application be refused, but we couldn’t get the support in East Riding Council.

“We don’t know how this combusted in Beirut, but material like this shouldn’t be stored near thousands of people’s homes.”

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A spokesperson for East Riding Council, which approved the application, said the storage was controlled by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards.

A Hull City Council spokesperson said a similar application granted last year to store 4,999 tonnes of the substance passed after authorities were satisfied it would meet “strict” criteria.

The spokesperson said: ““The application was met with no objections from the Health and Safety Executive or Environment Agency, and therefore satisfied their strict criteria and conditions for storage of this material.”

Mr Percy said he had contacted the ABP after constituents expressed concerns but added he was satisfied ammonium nitrate stored at the ports posed no threat.

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Mr Percy said: “UK and EU standards on ammonium nitrate storage are among the highest in the world.

“We shouldn’t draw any analogy between how the substance is handled here versus how it was handled in Lebanon.

“If you look at the Beirut case it seems that ammonium nitrate was left to degrade over several years.

“Ammonium nirate is all over the Humber area, it’s commonly used on farms.

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“But I took it up with the ABP and police because residents were concerned, I thought I would check for their safety.

“Rest assured that I have asked the authorities to double down on this, checks have been done in the last 24 hours. The port sites are also monitored by cameras and security staff.”

The ABP spokesperson said residents could be assured that all ammonium nitrate handled at both ports was done so safely.

The spokesperson said: “Safety is at the core of everything we do at ABP. Our thoughts go out to the people affected by this week’s incident.

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“We would like to assure colleagues and local residents that all UK ports storing ammonium nitrate are required to meet strict UK and EU regulations to ensure the safe handling and storage of ammonium nitrate.

“ABP work closely with the local authorities, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive as well as conducting internal and external audits to ensure these safety measures are complied with.

“In addition, ABP carry out ammonium nitrate training courses which are delivered to all staff involved in the storing and handling of this substance.

“Whilst we have these strict controls in place, we are, in the Humber, carrying out an extra full review of ammonium nitrate storage protocols and compliance in light of Tuesday’s events.”

Joe Gerrard , Local Democracy Reporting Service

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