3 February 2022 09:46 am Views - 212
The Ports Authority of Sri Lanka has sent the following clarification:
This refers to the front page headlined article under the title of “Dangerous cargo poses threat to Colombo Port” written by Easwaran Rutnam in “Daily Mirror” newspaper published on 31st January 2022.
Reporters note:
The story was based on views and comments expressed by some suppliers who maintain that their products at the Colombo Port do pose a threat if not stored properly for weeks and as such I am compelled to stand by my story.
The article tends to instill an undue fear among the general public regarding the safety of the Port of Colombo due to the delay in clearing dangerous cargo containing flammable liquids.
Please note that the Port of Colombo handles all types of dangerous goods shipped around the world keeping in line with the procedures and safety standards as given in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMDG Code specifies the required standards in packing, stowing, segregating, labelling of the different types of dangerous goods shipped worldwide. All dangerous goods shipped are packed according to the requirements of the IMDG Code which takes into account the conditions such cargo will encounter until it reaches the consignee.
Hence, being exposed to heat will not make the cargo become an undue risk to the port as they undergo much worse conditions during carriage. There are categories of dangerous goods such as Class 1 - Explosives and Class 7 Radioactive materials which are not allowed to be stored in the port due to safety considerations and given direct delivery to the consignee when discharged from the vessels. But Flammable liquids mentioned in the article do not fall into such categories.
Whilst handling dangerous goods has a risk compared with handling non dangerous goods, as a trans shipment hub, the port of Colombo is geared to handle those cargoes adhering to safety protocols. Therefore the port of Colombo is not at an undue risk due to the delay in clearing the said containers. As for the demurrage charges, with the approval by the Minister of Ports and Shipping, the Ministry has granted a relief for those containers which got delayed up to 31st January 2022, if the respective bank confirms that the delay was due to lack of foreign exchange at the bank.